The Infant Mortality Rate or IMR is the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births over a certain time period. The IMR is more than twice as high for black infants as it is for white infants. And Black women in Maryland die of pregnancy-related causes 2.5 times more frequently than white women. This research presentation focuses mainly on the IMR of Baltimore, because IMR  is one of the most critical indicators of the overall health of a population and is sensitive to structural factors like economic, social and environmental inequities.  Baltimore recognizes this problem and has implemented many programs to begin to address IMR causes and disparities. B’more for Healthy Babies is an innovative, mostly privately funded initiative designed to decrease infant mortality rate in Baltimore City. B’more for Healthy Babies has made a significant impact on IMR since its inception in 2009 after which there has been a 32% decrease in the IMR in Baltimore City. One of the main points that was pointed out in the interview is that infant mortality disparity that affects black mothers is not due to lifestyle choices, lack of prenatal care, or education. It is a direct result of the stress of racism and structural racism on the physiological and hormonal functions of a woman’s body leading to hypertension, preterm delivery and infant death. Birth and Reproductive Justice calls for equal access to quality healthcare for everyone and that improvements are made to reduce maternal health disparities. 

Through this project I was able to hone my interview skills. Interviewing community stakeholder through deep and radical listening is an important part of the Community Leadership program. This applied research project also taught me how to see the systems and structures that are keeping communities locked in poverty and essentially killing them. Sociology 606 taught me to look beyond personal choices to understand what is really causing inequity.