What is the CAN?

The Maternal and Infant Health Community Action Network (CAN) is a broad coalition of community partners focused on reducing infant mortality in Philadelphia and increasing their health and the health of their families. Of the top ten most populated U.S. cities, Philadelphia has the highest rate of infant mortality in the first year of life, with communities of color experiencing even larger disparities. The CAN was created to collaboratively develop solutions to tackle this issue. The members of the CAN recognized that the Philadelphia infant mortality rate can only be addressed by fostering a learning community within the CAN and coordinating cross-sector actions.

The Maternity and Infant Health CAN is made possible by funding from the Healthy Start grant. In 2015, three organizations in the City of Philadelphia were awarded grants.

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The CAN (organizational structure) COMMUNITY DRIVEN and coalition STRONG

“It is racism, not race, that is a social determinant of health”

-Dr. Irene Headen, Researcher
with Newborns & Neighbors

Why Do we need the CAN?

Over a 5 year period (2018-2022), Philadelphia had the highest infant mortality rate of the top 10 biggest U.S. cities, and Black infants are over three times as likely to die before their first birthday compared to White infants.

The issue is challenging and no one organization can solve it on their own. CAN invites a broad range of stakeholders to work together to create community-based solutions to eliminate the disparity and reduce the infant mortality rate in the city.