Related Experiment Videos
Infant mortality in Michigan's child welfare system
K Siefert1, I M Schwartz, R M Ortega
1School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
Social Work
|September 1, 1994
Insights
Infants in Michigan
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Social Work
Background:
- Infant mortality is a critical public health concern.
- Child welfare systems aim to protect vulnerable children.
- Understanding risks for infants in foster care is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze infant mortality rates in Michigan's child welfare system.
- To compare postneonatal death rates of infants in foster care to the general population.
- To identify preventable factors contributing to infant deaths.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of infant mortality data.
- Comparison of death rates between foster care and general populations (1980-1989).
- Examination of risk factors and potential preventability of deaths.
Main Results:
- Postneonatal death rates for infants in foster care were significantly higher.
- Infants in the child welfare system face elevated mortality risks.
- A portion of these infant deaths were identified as preventable.
Conclusions:
- The child welfare system must address elevated infant mortality.
- Preventable deaths highlight the need for improved interventions.
- Policy changes are recommended to enhance infant safety and well-being.
Abstract:
This article reports findings from a study on infant mortality in Michigan's child welfare system. The findings indicate that postneonatal death rates for infants in foster care placement from 1980 to 1989 are substantially higher than those in the general population. Although infants in the child welfare system are likely to be at greater risk, this article suggests that some of these deaths were preventable. Recommendations are made to address this problem as well as other policy issues raised by the data.