Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Fact Sheet

MO-07-0007 FIMR

Goals

Reduce fetal and infant deaths
Reduce the disparity of fetal and infant deaths among African Americans (non-Hispanic).

Gaps in health service systems exist that can best be identified and addressed through systematic reviews of individual cases of fetal and infant death at the community level.
Even though the infant mortality rate in California has declined in 2003 to 5.2 per 1,000 live births (the lowest level on record), there are still too many preventable deaths.
In 2003, the infant mortality rate for African Americans (non-Hispanic) was almost triple the white (non-Hispanic ) rate and more than twice the infant mortality rate for Hispanics.

A Case Review Team examines selected fetal and infant death cases, identifies factors associated with these deaths, and determines if these factors represent system problems, which require change.
Recommendations from the Case Review Team are presented to a Community Action Team that develops and implements interventions that lead to positive changes.

As causes of fetal and infant deaths are addressed, the services for all families improve and the entire community benefits.

Seventeen local health departments have Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Programs (FIMR) and eight of these are Black Infant Health (BIH) – FIMR Programs that focus on the African American disparity issue. The Case Review Team and the Community Action Team are made up of community leaders, medical care providers, public health professionals, social service staff, advocacy groups and consumers. To locate assistance in your area, please see our MCAH Directors and Local Toll Free Numbers Listing.

Federal Title V MCH Block Grant Funds. Maternal, Child and Adolescent (MCAH) Program administers the FIMR Program. Please see the FIMR Program for more information.