According to a new Pediatrics study by UWPRC director Dr. Deborah Ehrenthal and her colleagues and Katy Backes Kozhimannil writes:
The findings from this analysis imply that a new clinical and policy approach is needed to close the rural–urban gap in infant mortality. What is needed is structural investment to counter the forces of urbanism by creating rural-relevant policies. First, infant deaths need to be counted and carefully reviewed; second, infant health should be addressed in the context of pregnancy and the health of pregnant people through a focus on maternity care access and quality; finally, investment in evidence-based programs like nurse home visiting and community- based infrastructure, from schools to broadband to food access to recreation to social support, could help.