Preventing infant mortality: Pharmacists' call to action

Abstract

ObjectiveTo highlight ways in which pharmacists can influence the infant mortality rate. SummaryThe infant mortality rate in the United States is higher than in many other industrialized nations. Because pharmacists are accessible and knowledgeable health care professionals, there are multiple opportunities for pharmacist intervention from the preconception to the postpartum periods that can affect the leading causes of infant death. Specifically, areas of focus for pharmacists' direct patient care activities can include family planning, substance use, folic acid, drug information, maternal disease management, maternal medication management, infant medication management, safe sleep, breastfeeding, and vaccines. In addition, there are opportunities for pharmacists to influence infant mortality through clinical–community linkages, research, and advocacy. ConclusionsThrough clinical–community linkages and direct patient care, pharmacists can work toward reducing infant mortality in their communities.