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Detroit Seeks To Reduce Early Births, Infant Mortality

Detroit Water Front
Reginald Hardwick
/
WKAR Public Media
Detroit skyline looking west from Windsor, Canada

A new effort led by Detroit and Wayne State University seeks to reduce premature births and infant mortality in the city.

Mayor Mike Duggan recently announced a citywide effort to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality with SisterFriends Detroit and Make Your Date Detroit .

It includes pairing medical resources with community-based support to help mothers and babies.

SisterFriends Detroit will provide volunteer mentors to women and their families. It's backed in part by $2 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

The nonprofit Make Your Date Detroit started in 2014 as part of a partnership between Detroit and Wayne State University.

Officials want to ensure pregnant women know they have access to care, testing and resources they need to deliver full-term, healthy babies.

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