May 01, 2013
Community problems underlying issue of infant mortality rates
An East Auckland community group says high Māori infant mortality rates are a symptom of underlying community problems.
Kodi Hapi from Whakawhetu says while the latest Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee report found sudden unexpected death in infancy dropped last year, more can be done.
Of the 256 deaths of children under one year old, 82 were Māori.
She says it’s a problem that tends to disproportionately affect groups that don’t have access to services, often live in poverty and have a whole range of issues to contend with.
Ms Hapi says culturally appropriate services need to be delivered to Māori and Pacific Island families, including simple and direct messages in English.
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