Dream Savers Alliance launches with First Event to Confront Infant Mortality

By Our Times Staff

 A new coalition in Evansville has been formed to address the growing health crisis surrounding infant mortality and maternal health.

The Dream Savers Alliance, led by community advocates LaRissa Madison, Cherri Johnson, LaKeisha Roach, and others will hold its first public event, “Taking Back Our Future: Turning Our Pain into Purpose,” this Saturday.

The event begins with a “Buggy Parade” at 9 a.m. outside the Civic Center, where participants will march with empty strollers and wagons to honor infants lost before their first birthday. The parade will conclude at the CK Newsome Center with a moment of silence and the ringing of a bell 19 times to represent the infants’ lives lost in Indiana during the month of August.

At the CK, community members will hear presentations on topics including infant and maternal mortality, preeclampsia risks, breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices. A demonstration on infant CPR and a panel discussion with local voices along with a survey to gather community input will also be featured.

Indiana’s Infant Mortality Crisis

Indiana continues to struggle with some of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. In 2022, more than 500 infants in the state died before their first birthday. Indiana’s infant mortality rate (IMR) stands at 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births—well above the national rate of 5.6. The state also ranks 37th for preterm births, a leading cause of infant mortality.

Disparities are sharpest among Black families. From 2020 to 2022, Black infants in Indiana died at a rate of 12.2 per 1,000 live births, more than double the rate of white infants (5.9).

In Vanderburgh County, the picture is even more alarming: between 2019 and 2023, the Black infant mortality rate was 18.0—more than three times the national average.

A Call to Action

This event is not only about mourning the loss of infants but bringing awareness to this crisis and advocating for better healthcare in the community. The event is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear a black T-shirt or black shirt and jeans in solidarity.