The top local stories this morning from KERA News:
This month, the company behind 'baby boxes' launched in Texas, based on a program in Finland. It may sound strange to have babies sleeping in cardboard boxes, but its part of a larger initiative to lower the infant mortality rate.
Across the country, more than 3,500 babies died unexpectedly and suddenly in 2015. In Texas, the infant mortality rate is below the national average, around 5.8 deaths per 100,000 births, but there are big differences among ethnic groups. And in certain cities areas — like Fort Worth — the rate is much higher.
One of the most common ways babies die is by accidental suffocation — being smothered by sleeping too close to parents, pillows, soft toys or blankets. The idea behind the boxes is to remove all those objects and promote safe sleep — cheaply — for all moms.
Other stories this morning:
- Think is broadcasting from NPR in Washington this week, and Krys Boyd talked to Susan Stamberg about the moment she realized NPR had come into its own as a news network.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.
