It is not groundbreaking news that healthcare is a continuing problem in our country. The shockingly high infant mortality rate in our supposed developed nation, on the other hand, is a dirty secret not many know about.

Lack of healthcare coverage is one of many of the many contributing factors for such numbers. How can we as a nation not hang our head in shame knowing that the most innocent among us are dying daily from things that can be, in many cases, prevented!

While in St. Louis, Visiting Doctors from Ghana were shocked and moved to tears, when they discovered that many lack even the most basic necessities to care for a child. Imagine the choices a mother must make when she is trying to support herself and child on $500 a month? We are talking about choices no one should make: Should I keep the lights on, or buy formula? Should I feed myself to have the energy to be a good mother, or pay my rent? Can I afford baby wipes and diapers today? Cribs are considered a luxury for many living in poverty in both the inner cities and rural America--I am speaking about the basic necessities needed not to thrive, but to merely stay alive!

Only two years ago, CNN.com reported that the United States had the second worst newborn death rate in the modern world. These numbers haven't improved much. In fact, the CIA World Factbook indicates that it stands at a total of 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births this year.

Citizen Hunters you must know that I feel shame in that I only recently realized how grave this problem is. I hope for all of you that it will be a wakeup call, as it was for me.

Next Wednesday, July 30th, I have the pleasure of introducing my next hero on CBS' Early Show. Sharon Rohrbach, who started the Nurses for Newborns Foundation will be featured on this week's segment of Extraordinary People.

Sharon's amazing organization of nurses seeks to reduce infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect in this country through regular home visits to underprivileged at-risk mothers and children. Tune in to see her story, and to learn more about how you can help at 8 AM on Wednesday.