ZIP code of death

Memphis babies

Zip code 38108
How can any place in America, in the civilized western world, have a higher infant mortality rate than many third world countries? And more than that, how can it be repeatedly ignored? Little seems to have changed since the local paper brought the subject to light in March 2005.

Actually reading the original article makes me want to ask some serious questions about toxins and pollutants BUT I'll leave that for now.

How can it be necessary for a western city to institute a program called "Get to One" just to try and help children live to see their first birthday? How can there be such a lack of care, education, support, everything that such a thing is needed? And how did it get to be like this, for so long, without anyone noticing or saying anything?

The exception being Dr Korones (see Unsung Heroes )

Infant mortality, death before the age of one, is something like 25 in every 1000 live births in zip 38108, with three times as many o those being black babies as white babies. How does this happen in arguably the richest and most powerful country in the world?

Something is wrong with this picture, people need to sit up and take notice and then DO something about it. ALL babies deserve to get to one, no matter what their zip code.