A recent New York Times article entitled “In Turnabout, Infant Deaths Climb in South” highlighted the recent rise in infant mortality in Southern states, specifically among minority populations.  According to the article “the main causes of infant death in poor Southern regions included premature and low-weight births; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is linked to parental smoking and unsafe sleeping positions as well as unknown causes; congenital defects; and, among poor black teenage mothers in particular, deaths from accidents and disease.” Yet each of these could have been alleviated had each of these parents (and children) had health insurance that provided them comprehensive and preventative care.

This week, April 22nd-29th, marks the annual “Cover the Uninsured Week” sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and supported by a number of state and national organizations including the Union for Reform Judaism.  The theme of this year’s “Cover the Uninsured Week” is comprehensive health care for all children. Hundreds of events are being held throughout the country. To find out what is happening near you, check out the Cover the Uninsured Week website.