A former state health director says Maine’s rising infant mortality rate is likely due to a lack of public health nurses.
Dr. Lani Graham told the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Thursday that there are more than 40 positions, but at most, 25-30 are filled. Graham says that’s not enough to do home visits to new mothers and babies to assess and support their health.
“We used to have the lowest infant mortality in the country, and we now have 13th highest from the worst,” she says.
In light of the opiate epidemic and the number of babies born addicted, Graham says Maine needs more public health nurses, not less.
“These are the very deliveries that need to be followed up very carefully, and they take time, so not having these resources available I think poses a big risk for Maine going into the future,” she says.
Maine’s current infant mortality rate is 7 deaths per 1,000 births, up from a low of 4.6 in 2004, according to Graham. The U.S. average is under six.
A spokeswoman for Maine's Department of Health and Human Services says infant mortality is a key issue and is being addressed broadly across the department. Samantha Edwards says it may take time for data to reflect the department's work, but she says the department is directing resources where needed.
