On Tuesday, February 9th, Representative London Lamar of Tennessee shared a photo on Twitter of her colleague, Representative Chris Jones, carrying an infant-sized casket into the state Capitol. The gesture was a powerful symbol of advocacy for infant mortality awareness and the need for greater support for families who have lost young children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tennessee has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. In 2019, the state’s infant mortality rate was 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. This means that hundreds of families in Tennessee are impacted by the loss of a young child each year.
Representative Jones, who represents District 47 in Tennessee, brought the casket to the Capitol to draw attention to this issue and to advocate for policies and programs that can help reduce infant mortality rates. In an interview with local news station WREG, he explained that he wanted to “bring awareness to the issue and let people know that we need to do more.”
The gesture has sparked a conversation about the need for greater support for families who have experienced the loss of a young child. In particular, advocates are calling for increased access to healthcare services and resources that can help prevent infant mortality and support families who have experienced a loss.
One important factor in reducing infant mortality rates is access to quality healthcare. This includes prenatal care for expectant mothers, as well as pediatric care for newborns and young children. Unfortunately, many families in Tennessee face barriers to accessing these services, including lack of insurance coverage and limited availability of healthcare providers in certain areas.
Advocates are also calling for greater investment in programs that can help prevent infant mortality and support families who have experienced a loss. This includes initiatives like home visiting programs, which provide support and resources to new parents in their own homes, as well as bereavement support services for families who have experienced a loss.
Overall, Representative Jones’ gesture has brought much-needed attention to the issue of infant mortality in Tennessee and the need for greater support for families who have experienced a loss. By raising awareness and advocating for policies and programs that can help prevent infant mortality and support families in need, we can work towards a future where all children have the opportunity to thrive.
