Kane County Infant Mortality Project
County: Kane County, IL

Skill Area: Data Analysis and Monitoring

Internship summary
Kane County Health Department has identified disparity in Infant Mortality as one of five priorities public health issues in Kane County. An initial analysis has been done on infant deaths, using a modified Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR). More in depth analysis is needed to determine what risk factors may be responsible for this disparity, given recent research findings on social factors affecting infant survival, as well as access to health care for mothers pre-conception.

Purpose
To Assess the African American Maternal Child Health Access to Care in Kane County

Goals
To reduce racial disparities in infant mortality

Objectives
To identify the root causes of African American infant mortality and barriers to their access to care

Data or analytic tasks and activities involved
1. To review literature on risk factors that contribute to Infant mortality
2. To analyze Kane County birth and infant death data using the linked birth and infant death files, identifying possible root causes of the disparity. Student will start with preliminary analysis,updating previous PPOR with 2007 birth data, comparing our birth outcomes and infant mortality to standard populations. We would like to explore modeling, depending on the experience of the student in biostatistics and SAS.

3. Prepare a presentation of research findings

Required data or analytic skills
Experience working with health related databases

Experience with basic public health analytical software applications such as SAS, EpiInfo

Experience with Microsoft Excel, Access, Word

Exposure to regression analysis will be useful. We have oversight from UIC School of Public Health on a part of the project so there will be an opportunity for the student to consult with other MCH specialists.

Begin date
05/15/2010