FIMR

Create a World with More First Birthdays!

From 2019 to 2021, an average of 1,269 infants in Florida died each year before their first birthday.

At Capital Area Healthy Start, we are fighting to reduce fetal and infant mortality. One way that we do this is through the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) project. In 2022, the CAHSC FIMR project expanded beyond Leon and Wakulla counties to include Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor counties.

The purpose of FIMR is to reduce fetal and infant mortality by gathering and reviewing detailed information to better understand how a variety of local social, economic, cultural, public health, educational, and environmental factors contribute to the tragedy of fetal and infant loss. Additionally, FIMR teams use the findings to take action that can prevent future infant deaths and improve the systems of care and resources for infants and their families.

If you are interested in learning more or joining the FIMR Project, please fill out our inquiry form below or email Shaneke Louis, FIMR Program Coordinator and Outreach Specialist, at Shaneke@capitalareahealthystart.org.

FIMR comprises two groups, the Case Review Team (CRT) and the Community Action Team (CAT) (See Figure).

CRT, is a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who review the circumstances surrounding a fetal or infant death. During the case review process, CRT members often use deidentified abstracted information from vital records (death and birth certificates), hospitals, clinics, physicians, law enforcement, Medical Examiner records, community agencies, and family/maternal interviews. Members of this team will be expected to identify positive elements, and challenges, as well as create recommendations for intervention to the CAT.

CAT members are responsible for developing new and creative solutions to improve services and resources for families from the recommendations made by the case review team. This team generally consists of community leaders representing government, consumers, key institutions, and health and human services organizations.

Read the 2021 FIMR Deliberations Report

The Annual FIMR Deliberations report is a summary of the findings from all the fetal and infant death cases that were reviewed in the year as well as the total death cases in Leon and Wakulla counties. Typically, data from local cases are compared with state data.

The report also includes an overview of CAHSC programs and initiatives that have been implemented because of the FIMR Project. The knowledge gained through the FIMR process helps CAHSC know how and where to focus its resources and efforts.