Alabama Baby Coalition gathers to discuss fetal and infant deaths 1-14-26

January 14, 2026

Alabama Baby Coalition gathers to discuss fetal and infant deaths

MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile County’s Alabama Baby Coalition (ABC) Case Review Team recently hosted its initial meeting of 2026. Returning chair Dr. Ted Catranis and new co-chair Dr. Candice Holliday recommitted to the shared goal of reducing fetal and infant losses in the community. The team meets once a quarter to review fetal and infant losses from the past year, with a focus on learning and prevention rather than pointing fingers or placing blame.

These conversations among physicians, physicians in training, and local support partners generate questions and answers about how to best support moms and families in Mobile County. Nationally, the infant mortality rate is about 5.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024), while Alabama’s rate is higher at approximately 7.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Mobile County’s infant mortality and fetal loss rates have historically been above the U.S. average and similar to or above the overall Alabama rate, underscoring the importance of focused review and prevention efforts like ABC. The Mobile County rate for 2024 was 7.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

During each case review, the team examines social determinants of health such as transportation, housing stability, and education, recognizing how these factors influence whether pregnant people can access timely, consistent prenatal and postpartum care. Priority themes include community education on avoiding substance use (tobacco, marijuana, vaping) during pregnancy, promoting healthier nutrition options, and improving access to routine maternity care, which is available locally but too often not accessed because of transportation barriers and health literacy challenges.

The success of this work depends on strong partnerships with community programs, health care providers, faith-based organizations, and local agencies that are committed to walking alongside families before, during, and after pregnancy. The questions, insights, and recommendations that emerge from these case reviews are then carried forward and incorporated into the quarterly Community Action Team meetings, where partners work together to turn lessons learned into concrete strategies, outreach efforts, and policy or practice changes to strengthen Mobile County.

Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County, said “Every fetal or infant loss represents a family’s heartbreak and a community’s call to action. Our goal is to listen, to learn, and to remove the barriers that keep families from the care and support they deserve.”

This shared commitment guides ABC’s work to reduce preventable fetal and infant deaths and give every baby in Mobile County the best possible start in life.