In 2020, Indiana has the ninth-highest infant mortality rate in the nation, but as bad as Indiana has been, Marion County is even worse. Only 23 ZIP codes in the state account for 27% of the infant mortality rate, and 13 of those ZIP codes are in Marion County.
Cradle Indianapolis, a location-based community initiative founded in 2022 with support from the IU Health Foundation’s Racial Equity in Healthcare Fund, is preparing to reduce child mortality newborns in Marion County. And the program’s first director is Terri Lee, appointed at the end of 2022.
Lee took a listening tour, meeting with stakeholders in Marion County to listen to the gaps and opportunities that exist. “Infant mortality speaks to access to health care, economic and social determinants of health,” says Lee. “Our infant mortality rate is surprisingly high, especially when you stratify by race.”
Lee’s first assignment was to assemble a coalition of parents, carers, and healthcare professionals to build capacity and capacity in their neighborhoods based on community priorities. “You can’t do anything for the community without the community,” Lee said. “I am a passenger in the vehicle the community is driving.”
Cradle Indy was made possible thanks to a wide range of donors and supporters—from parents to business leaders to Congressman André Carson. “This important work is fundamental to IU Health’s vision to make Indiana a healthier state,” said Jami Marsh, IU Health Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategy.
Once Lee has gathered input from community stakeholders, she will refine Cradle Indy’s strategic plan. “I want people to see Cradle as one of the community actors they can trust,” Lee said. “We want to save babies, support families and watch our communities grow.”
