Rock County health officials are tackling the county's infant mortality rate for African Americans which is the 2nd highest in the state.
Rock County's infant death rate equals 18.8 deaths for every 1000 African American births, according to acting Public Health Officer Karen Cain. She is puzzled as to why there is a huge racial disparity, as the infant death for blacks is three times higher than white infants. She says the main counties with the disparity issues are Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine and Rock.
A town hall meeting on September 22 in Beloit will include a panel discussion addressing the issue. The Medical College of Wisconsin is looking at how it can help finance communities to look at the problem and find a solution.
(Contributed by Beth Wheelock-WCLO)