TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Florida State University College of Medicine has teamed up with health care providers across the capital city to help battle the black infant mortality rate.
The Maternal and Child Health Equity Conference is a special two day conference that aims to promote equity for all babies and cut down on black infant mortality.
According to Doctor Joedreka Brown-Spates at the FSU School of Medicine, rates in Leon County have been fluctuating over the past few years. Nationally, the black and Hispanic infant mortality rate is about three times the number of their other racial counterparts.
Leaders of the conference said that there are many factors that play a role in the rate like systemic racism, access to healthcare, and financial barriers.
That's why they said Friday's goal was about getting everyone involved and creating awareness.
"We deal with social determinants of health but also social determinants of equity as it relates to racism or an opportunity to live in a healthy space. To have access to food, nutritious food, to have access to quality health care. That can be a limitation not just because you don't have insurance but because you just live far and that can be a big barrier," said Brown-Spates.
FSU College of Medicine teamed up with many community partners to include Andrew Mayor Gillum, Curtis Richardson, and Camara Jones, the President of American Public Health.
The conference kicked off Friday at 4 p.m. and will continue Saturday at the Gadsden Art Center in Quincy at 10 a.m.
