Category: Latest News

The national celebration of motherhood this weekend offers an important opportunity for calling attention to the health of mothers and the need to address disturbing trends in maternal mortality. According to the March for Moms, a coalition of health professionals, advocates and consumer groups, the U.S. is experiencing a rise in mothers dying during childbirth … Continue reading “Mother’s Day: Time to Strengthen Focus on Maternal Health”

The importance of community partnerships – and the role of Healthy Start Coalitions – in improving care for mothers and babies was highlighted at the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative (FPQC) held last week in Tampa. The meeting featured presentations on strategies for practitioners to reduce health disparities, engaging families and … Continue reading “Role of Healthy Start Coalitions, Community Partnerships Highlighted at FPQC Annual Meeting”

  Despite progress in several areas impacting maternal and child health, the proportion of babies born too small remains unchanged according to the 2018 Florida County Child Well-Being Index. The report, released today by Florida Kids Count, examines progress between 2011 and 2016 by the state and counties on 16 key indicators of child health … Continue reading “2018 Florida County Child Well-Being Index: No Improvement in Low Birthweight”

For the first time, more than 500 hospitals and birthing centers – including 17 in Florida – have achieved designation as Baby-Friendly Hospitals recognizing their support of breastfeeding. According to Baby-Friendly USA, this important milestone indicates widespread recognition for supportive breastfeeding practices in maternity facilities across the country. Designation requires adherence to the 10 Steps … Continue reading “Baby-Friendly Hospitals Reach Milestone”

Healthy Start activities and the impact of program efforts to improve birth outcomes are highlighted in the 2017 Annual Report released recently by the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions. Nearly 90,000 pregnant women and 62,000 families with newborns received services through the program last year. An additional 138,000 pregnant women on Medicaid were linked to … Continue reading “Healthy Start Activities, Impact Profiled in 2017 Annual Report”

By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida PDF article download Original article at Orlando Weekly

After nearly a decade of progress, prematurity rates in the U.S. and Florida increased in 2016, earning the country and state a “C” on the new March of Dimes Prematurity Report Card released today. Florida had a preterm birth rate of 10.1% in 2016, compared to 10.0% in the prior year. Nationally, the rate increased from … Continue reading “2017 MOD Prematurity Report Card: Progress Stalls in FL, U.S.”

Healthy Start Coalitions join organizations worldwide this month in remembering families that have experienced a loss during pregnancy.  Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day is observed October 15 and will be marked by memorials and other activities, such as the Walk to Remember, held annually in Tallahassee by the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition. Nearly … Continue reading “Coalitions Support Families Experiencing Loss, Focus on Systems Change Through FIMR”

The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions (FAHSC) is seeking $12.8 million in additional state funding in FY 2018-19 to address the growing opioid epidemic and support the delivery of Healthy Start services to more at-risk pregnant women and newborns. The organization, which represents 32 local coalitions working to reduce infant mortality and promote healthy … Continue reading “Funding to Address Opioid Crisis, Support Healthy Start Services Top FAHSC Legislative Priorities”

Florida’s infant mortality rate dropped slightly in 2016, but the state continues to face challenges with disparities and the growing number of babies impacted by the opioid crisis. Statewide, 1,380 babies died before reaching their first birthdays in 2016, compared to 1,400 in the previous year.  Florida’s infant mortality rate was 6.1 deaths per 1000 … Continue reading “September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month”