County Offers Information on Planning a Healthy Pregnancy; September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 19, 2016

Last year there were 70 babies in Montgomery County who did not live to celebrate their first birthday.  Nearly one-third of these infants were Black/African American.  Research shows that women who plan their pregnancies and address health issues in advance increase their chances of having a healthy baby.

 

According to the Maryland Vital Statistics Administration, the overall infant mortality rate in Maryland (the number of babies who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births) was 6.7 in 2015 (the most recent data available).  Montgomery County’s rate was lower than Maryland’s overall—5.3—although the rate among Black/African American infants was 8.5, nearly twice as high as the infant mortality rate of 4.4 for white infants. 

 

“The disparity among ethnic groups is an ongoing public health issue,” said Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, County Health Officer.  The disparity challenges us to continue seeking ways to reduce infant mortality in our community.”

 

One way Montgomery County is working to address the issue is by making resources available through the African-American Health Program (AAHP).  AAHP provides in-home nursing services to African, African-American and Caribbean expectant mothers and spouses or significant others.

 

One step that woman can take is to reach and maintain optimal health during childbearing years.  The County’s easy to read “My Reproductive Health Plan” will help women plan whether and/or when to have a baby, address current health, financial and lifestyle issues that could impact pregnancy and take steps to increase the chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

 

Information in the brochure includes the following advice—make sure immunizations are up to date, take a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid and aim to exercise for 30 minutes four to six times per week.

 

My Reproductive Life Plan is available from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services at http://bit.ly/2cCQ8t8.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information and resources related to reproductive life planning and planning for a healthy pregnancy.  A downloadable tool can be used to create an individual plan and is available at http://bit.ly/1mH5p8N.  For CDC information and resources on healthy pregnancy, go to www.cdc.gov/pregnancy.

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 240-777-6534