DHSS Press Release |
Date: November 9, 2007 DHSS-125-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EFFORTS TO DISCOVER CAUSES OF INFANT MORTALITY ARE NATIONALLY NOTED
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is proud to announce that efforts to reduce the state numbers of Infant Mortality have received national recognition.
Charlan Kroelinger, PhD, both a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) epidemiologist and Director of the DPH Center of Excellence in Maternal Child Health (MCH) and Epidemiology, has received the MCH Coalition for Young Professional Achievement in Epidemiology award .
Dr. Kroelinger and her staff:
- Developed the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which is a joint research project between the DPH and the CDC. This project explores why some babies are born healthy and others are not.
- Manages the Fetal Infant Mortality Report (FIMR) infrastructure production. This report guides infant mortality efforts for the state.
- Developed preconception care program evaluation plans to assess the health of a woman who may get pregnant.
- Hired and mentored new staff, including epidemiologists to provide research on this important topic.
Additionally, Dr. Kroelinger has assisted university student’s with data evaluation, which has resulted in at least one journal publication. She also acts as the point person for the Governor’s Task Force on Infant Mortality.
The DPH Center of Excellence in MCH and Epidemiology was created under the recommendation of the Delaware Infant Mortality Task Force for the purpose of generating and analyzing data on maternal and child health and to monitor progress in reducing infant mortality in the state of Delaware.
"I appreciate this recognition very much," Kroelinger said. "I feel as if the state is learning more about infant mortality, and I plan to use this as motivation to accomplish more in the next year of my assignment."
Assigned to Delaware by the CDC specifically to build epidemiology and data capacity for analysis and public health action, Kroelinger and her staff are already poised to begin collecting the data needed to discover why Delaware sees such a high infant mortality rate .
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
