The number of babies dying before they reach their first birthday in Cuyahoga County, and specifically in Cleveland, is inching downward, but still frighteningly high. What's growing is the gap between white and black babies. Consider this: For every white baby who dies before age one in Cuyahoga County, seven African American babies die. Research is beginning to show that race itself, not just economic factors, contributes. The First Year Cleveland coalition has set an ambitious goal of cutting the racial infant mortality gap in half by 2020. Several new initiatives are underway or about to launch. We'll talk with two leaders of the effort. Later, wearable tech that helps you kick the habit?

To explore more about the role stress plays in the high rate of infant mortality among black babies watch a story our Be Well team produced as part of the ideastream series "Zip Code: the Hidden Vital Sign." Watch the story HERE

For More Information:
-Birthing Beautiful Communities website
-First Year Cleveland website
-American Heart Association: Resources to Help Quit Smoking

Guests:
-Christin Farmer, Founding President & CEO, Birthing Beautiful Communities
-Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, OB-GYN, Director, UH Center for Clinical Excellence and Diversity, Director, WONDOOR, University Hospitals
-Dr. Ming-Chun Huang, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University
-Dr. Monica Webb Hooper, Professor, Associate Director for Cancer Disparities Research - Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University