Reducing Infant Mortality

Infant mortality is the death of an infant before their first birthday. There are many communities in Southeast and Central Michigan where infant mortality is higher than the state average, and WIN Network was founded to help prevent these deaths while supporting moms and babies.

Black babies in Detroit are over two times as likely to die before their first birthdays compared to white babies 

Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Statistics 

What is WIN Network Doing?

• Enhanced Group Prenatal Care: The CenteringPregnancy^TM curriculum used by the WIN Network is proven to improve birth outcomes and supports healthy babies. By spending more time with their care team, Henry Ford Health patients can better prepare for birth and bringing home a new baby, learn how to manage their health, get help finding resources for everyday needs, and connect with other moms for support throughout pregnancy and after delivery.
• BLOSSOM: Community-based prenatal education offered throughout the metro Detroit area. The BLOSSOM Pregnancy & Childbirth Education Series, led by the WIN Network, is a supportive six‑week program designed to guide expecting parents through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Sessions are interactive, small‑group based, and include incentives to encourage participation and make learning engaging and accessible.
• Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP): A free home visiting program for pregnant women and infants who are eligible for Medicaid coverage in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Since 1986, the program has helped families have healthier pregnancies and positive birth outcomes by providing one-on-one support from nurses and social workers, education on pregnancy and baby development, and connections to helpful community resources. MIHP supports families from pregnancy through a baby’s first year, helping parents feel confident and giving babies a strong, healthy start.