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Jane Zehnder-Merrell,
Kids Count in Michigan, Michigan League for Human Services
Despite
substantial improvement in some maternal risks in Michigan since the
mid-1990s, the share of infants born too soon or too small increased,
according to the latest analysis by Kids Count in Michigan. These
babies are at highest risk for chronic disease, developmental delay, and
even death. The costs of preterm and low-birth weight births are
substantial; they can persist into mid-childhood and spill into other
sectors such as education, child care, and child protective services.
Michigan communities with the largest numbers of low-income families
experienced the worst outcomes in maternal and infant well-being. Proposed
cuts to the state programs that provide services to the state’s most
vulnerable families will put even more babies at risk.
For press release, summaries, analysis, and data for Michigan’s 59 largest
cities and townships, and all 83 counties go to:
http://www.milhs.org/information/default.asp?NavPageID=46198
For further information or questions, contact Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Senior
Research Associate, Director, Kids Count in Michigan Michigan League for
Human Services at 517/487-5436 or toll free 800/837-5436 E-MAIL:
janez@mlan.net or Pat Sorenson, Vice
President for Policy, Michigan’s Children at 517/485-3500 or toll free
800/330-8674 E-MAIL
sorenson.pat@michiganschildren.org.
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