Funding endangered as Kane Co. tries to close infant mortality rate gap

The number of infant deaths in Kane County's black community continues to be far higher than any other race, according to the latest data by the health department. But as the county attempts to narrow the gap among the races, state funding is in jeopardy for the programs that work best to solve the problem.

The county made lowering infant mortality rates a priority more than a decade ago when nearly 8 out of every 1,000 children younger than 1 died in the county. As of 2007, the overall infant mortality rate improved to 4.4 deaths for every 1,000 children younger than 1. The mortality rate for black infants, however, has lagged behind. As recently as 1993, more than 18 out of 1,000 black infants died before age 1. That was about triple the rate for any other race. Since then the gap has closed, but the black infant mortality rate in the county is still about twice that of any other race.

Now Kane County Health Department officials fear possible state funding cuts could erase even that progress. Gov. Pat Quinn's budget proposal would slash up to $175,000 of funding for the county's infant mortality programs. Such programs involve prenatal care and parenting instruction. The problem with the cut isn't so much the amount as is the fact that it would be the third year in a row the health department has taken a similar hit to its funding.

"It really keeps adding to our burden," said Paul Kuehnert, the health department's executive director. "We are very concerned particularly that (state lawmakers) would target the cuts to the most vulnerable segment of the population."

Kuehnert said the idea behind the cuts may be a result of being a victim of success. Kuehnert said the health department is also seeing cuts in funding for West Nile virus programs. Last year the county was virtually devoid of any West Nile incidents compared to just a few years ago.

Theresa Heaton, the health department's director of family health, said the cuts to infant mortality programs are perhaps more troubling. Having babies that survive the first year of life is a key indicator of an area's overall health, she said.

Heaton said the gap between blacks' infant mortality and that of other races in the county stems from issues with maternal health before and during pregnancy, and increased incidents of low birth weights and premature births.