Guilford County invites the public to virtually attend “Crucial Conversations: The State of Infant Mortality,” a community forum to unveil the 2023 disaggregated infant mortality data. This annual event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. Virtual seats are available. Register to attend virtually.
“Crucial Conversations” brings the community together around the most current infant mortality disaggregated data to mobilize local leaders, maternal health partners, and community members to take meaningful action to address maternal and infant health disparities. At the forum, a panel of maternal health partners will share insights into how they are collectively working to eliminate the disparities that exist in birth outcomes in Guilford County. This event celebrates the collective action movement of Every Baby Guilford which is building collaborative solutions with the community to disrupt longstanding health outcomes and racial disparities in the county.
"Infant mortality is a reflection of community health,” said Courtney McFadden, Guilford County Public Health Director. “When we uplift mothers—through nutrition, mental health support, and accessible prenatal care—we uplift entire neighborhoods here in Guilford County.”
Launched in 2021, Every Baby Guilford continues to be at the forefront of initiatives to address disparities in infant mortality in Guilford County. As part of a collective action strategic plan, four key priorities unite community leaders, parents, maternal health partners, and healthcare providers to drive systemic changes that improve maternal and infant health outcomes. These priorities include:
- Advancing health equity in an effort to decrease infant mortality rates by addressing systemic racism and implicit bias within the continuum of care for maternal and infant health.
- Centering community with all-inclusive community engagement that creates collaborative solutions.
- Strengthening the continuum of care of reproductive life planning—from preconception to prenatal to interconception—for equitable access to quality care.
- Promoting infant wellness and positive child development.
Chairman Melvin 'Skip' Alston, who has been a strong proponent of the Every Baby Guilford program, said, “No family should face the heartbreak of losing a child simply because of where they live, financial wealth, or the color of their skin. As county leaders, we are committed to ensuring every baby in Guilford County has the best chance at a healthy and fulfilling life—and that starts with intentional investment, collective responsibility, and unwavering resolve to improve outcomes for all families. We are proud of the work happening with Every Baby Guilford, which is not only changing futures here in Guilford County but quickly becoming a best practice in our region and across the state.”
Community members are welcome to join the event virtually with registration. Register to attend virtually.
About Every Baby Guilford
Every Baby Guilford launched a collective action movement in 2021 to ignite and mobilize Guilford County through partnerships and unified strategies to eliminate disparities and prevent infant deaths. Through a community-driven process, Every Baby Guilford’s vision is every baby and family will have equitable opportunities and access to achieve the healthiest start in life. For more information visit Every Baby Guilford.