LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- A program launched Thursday hopes to curb Arkansas' high infant mortality rate.
The details announced at the Arkansas Health Department in Little Rock. The goal is to recruit presidents from African American sororities and have them volunteer in their communities, spreading education to pregnant and new moms.
Figures from the Health Department show a baby dies before its first birthday almost every day in Arkansas, and the problem hits African American communities harder than others.
Dr. David Grimes with Arkansas Health Department says, "We know that there are a lot of ways to fix this problem and we need to get that information out to the communities so we're partnering with Sisters United."
Sisters United will be the name of this new program that will train the sorority presidents, arming them with prevention information for women like proper nutrition and annual flu shots.