The public is invited to the third in a series of community meetings on Monday, July 16, to hear from experts on child protection regarding the alarming statistics about African-American child deaths in Sacramento.
According to a Sacramento County press release, Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Sema established a Blue Ribbon Commission to address the issue of disproportionate African-American child deaths. The Commission will review data, investigate model programs in other communities, and seek broad community input.
According to Sacramento County, African-American children in Sacramento County are dying at a disproportionate rate:
They are twice as likely as Caucasion children to die from a variety of causes before their 18th birthday.
They represent 12 percent of our population and 22 percent of all child deaths.
Deaths caused by third party homicide, infant sleep related deaths, child abuse and neglect homicides, perinatal conditions, and suicide contribute most to the wide disparity.
The third meeting will be held Monday, July 16 from 6-7:30pm at the Paratransit, Inc. Auditorium, 2501 Florin Road, in Sacramento. Parking is free.
For more information about the Blue Ribbon Commission, meeting minutes, and community input from previous meetings, visit www.philsema.net.
