The Central Oklahoma Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Project has been working since 2006 to reduce the number of infant deaths in central Oklahoma by examining issues surrounding fetal and infant death and promoting maternal and infant health through community-based approaches.
The goals of the project are to reduce the fetal and infant mortality rate and to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in fetal and infant mortality in central Oklahoma. Ultimately, FIMR aims to create systemic changes that result in each pregnant woman in Oklahoma County being healthy when she gets pregnant and having a healthy baby who can celebrate his or her first birthday.
Why does central Oklahoma need a FIMR?
Most people don’t want to think about the risk of a baby dying in the first year of life. Sadly, the reality is that approximately 100 Oklahoma County families experience the death of their new baby every year. In Oklahoma County, the infant mortality rate (or the number of babies who die per 1,000 live births) is higher than both national and state averages. In addition, African American babies die at over twice the rate as white babies.
Click here for more information about infant mortality in central Oklahoma.
How does FIMR work?
The FIMR Project collects and reviews medical records on selected infant deaths and conducts home interviews with the mothers who graciously share their story about what happened. Case summaries, without names, go to a Case Review Team that reviews the information and recommends how services could be improved to help families. Then, a Community Action Team, comprised of influential community leaders, works together with community partners to make change happen in the community.
For questions about FIMR, please call (405) 419-4247, or email us at fimr@occhd.org.
Central Oklahoma FIMR is funded by Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Family Health Services Division, Maternal and Child Health Service. For more information about the Maternal and Child Health Service, click here.
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