Northern NJ
Maternal / Child
Health Consortium

17 Arcadian Ave
Suite 204
Paramus, NJ 07652
Tel: 201-843-7400
Fax: 201-843-4988

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Black Infant Mortality Resource Center

The Black Infant Mortality Reduction Resource Center (BIMR) is one of the major initiatives started by the Northern Consortium.

  • The Center strives to increase professional and public awareness by serving as a statewide clearinghouse for health care professionals and consumers.
  • BIMRRC provides technical support to individuals interested in improving maternal and infant health in Black families, promoting increased research and education.
  • The Center mobilizes the community towards greater empowerment, operating a speaker's bureau and conducting outreach projects, implementing strategies to decrease the frequency of low birth weight infants.

One of the projects run through the Center is "Reduce Stress for Babies Best." The program provides one-on-one stress management sessions to pregnant Black women to reduce their incidence of low birth weight and premature births.

Why are Black babies more likely to
die in the first year of life?

 

  • A baby born at low birth weight (less than 5 1/2 pounds) is at greater risk. Most low birth weight occurs because babies are born early. Nearly 20% of Black babies compared to 9% of White babies are born premature.

  • A particular kind of vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis) increases a woman's risk of delivering early or losing a baby. This infection is found twice as often among Black women as White women. It can be treated. Click here to learn about the signs and symptoms and prevention of preterm labor.

  • Stress is a significant risk factor for preterm delivery. Increased levels of mothers' psychosocial stress, such as pressures at work, home, and family, are related to preterm delivery and lower birth weight.

  • Pressures in society can negatively affect a pregnant woman. A NJ Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Black Infant Mortality Reduction found that racism, classism, and sexism are likely contributors to higher infant mortality rates among Blacks.

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (also known as STD's or sexually transmitted diseases) can lead to infertility, tubal pregnancy, cervical cancer, low birthweight, congenital/perinatal infections, and an increased risk of HIV infection.  STI's include: HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Genital Warts, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis (also know as "tric").

     

    Prenatal Care and Nutrition

    Your health should be monitored throughout your pregnancy. Receiving prenatal care and proper nutrition are key factors in healthy birth outcomes. If you are pregnant, be sure to avoid deep fried foods by baking, roasting, or braising instead. Speak to your health provider about taking a multivitamin and enriching your diet with folic acid. Your weight should be monitored throughout your pregnancy. Also ask your health care provider about safe exercise, as keeping pysically fit is important!


     Click here for more information about Health Disparities!