This page is optimized for a taller screen. Please rotate your device or increase the size of your browser window.

Reducing Infant Mortality through Collaboration and Innovation


Highlights

  • The U.S. has a relatively high rate of infant mortality.
  • Quality improvement and collaborative learning strategies can reduce infant mortality.
  • Abt provides tailored technical assistance to reduce infant mortality.
The Challenge

The U.S. infant mortality rate is among the highest of high-income countries. From 2012 to 2014, Abt Associates worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in three regions of the country in the South and Midwest.

The Approach

We are working on Phase II of the Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network to Reduce Infant Mortality (IM CoIIN) project. IM CoIIN uses quality improvement approaches and collaborative learning in six areas:
 

  • Reducing elective deliveries before 39 weeks
  • Increasing access to health services
  • Reducing smoking among pregnant women
  • Increasing safe sleep practices to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and sudden unexpected infant deaths
  • Developing strategies to assure risk-appropriate care for mothers and infants
  • Addressing social determinants of health
The Results

The project began in 2017, and results will be forthcoming. 

Related:

Using Human Centered Design and Design Thinking to Reduce Infant Mortality: A Case Study of the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)’s Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network to Reduce Infant Mortality (IM CoIIN) in the Border States - APHA 2019