Philadelphia’s infant mortality rate hovers around 40%. This rate should be unacceptable for the nation’s 6th largest city and one that has a plethora of teaching hospitals and employers from highly ranked facilities such as UPenn Hospital, Jefferson Hospital to Temple University. We should applaud programs like the one introduced by Joy Bank Philadelphia which are designed to improve maternal and infant outcomes. The program will distribute over $6 million dollars.
This newly introduced program is unique as it provides a guaranteed monthly stipend for the mother for 18 months. This goal of this partnership between the Philadelphia Community Action Network (CAN), City of Philadelphia – Department of Public Health, and The Philadelphia City Fund is to reach the most vulnerable segment of the population. The question remains. Is this the best way to tackle these issues in 2024? What about education and job creation?
Numerous studies indicate that the survival of the infant and the reduction of the mortality rate are directly connected to literacy and income. Simply put, the development of a social program like this fails to provide better pathways to increased educational, sexual risk awareness, access to better living wages, and better risk assessments.
Please share this valuable information as it could make the difference in a life. Pregnant people in Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion, and Nicetown-Tioga neighborhoods may be eligible to apply. Get all the details at: