Issue #15 November/December 2011
Working Together, Making a Difference
For those of us involved in improving the health of women and babies in North Carolina it's often been two steps forward, one step back. So it gives us great joy that North Carolina's 2010 infant mortality rate is at an historic low for the second year running. SIDS deaths are also at an all-time low. Why these rates at this time? We believe it is likely a result of sustained efforts by committed people and institutions. Read about a few initiatives in this newsletter and then let us know what YOU think has made a difference. Join us on Facebook and share your thoughts so we can turn recent progress into a long-term trend.
Women's Health
Great News!
Healthy mothers are more likely to have healthy babies. So we are excited that in 2010 the rate of babies dying in
North Carolina decreased to the lowest recorded rate in our state's history for the second year in a row. While 854 babies under the age of one year died (7 deaths for every 1,000 born alive), this is an 11.4 percent reduction from 2009 when there were 1,006 deaths of babies less than one year old. The largest decrease in 2010 was for African American babies who had a 19.6 percent reduction in the death rate!
The number of babies born in North Carolina has decreased for the third year in a row: 122,302 in 2010 compared with 126,785 in 2009. The downturn in the economy may have influenced many women's and couple's decisions to become pregnant. Research shows that both babies and their mothers experience health benefits when pregnancies are planned and well spaced.
While the decline in the infant death rate is hopeful, historically North Carolina ranks poorly compared with other states and racial disparities remain. African American babies in N.C. die at more than twice the rate of Caucasian babies. In addition, almost twice as many African American babies are born low birthweight or very low birthweight (14.1 percent) compared with Caucasian babies and Latino babies (7.8 and 6.3 percent, respectively). While African American women are less likely to smoke, drink or commit suicide, their risks are greater in other areas that could impact pregnancy - such as being overweight, exposure to chronic stress, or being uninsured.
The release of the 2010 data is a perfect opportunity to emphasize the importance of working with women of childbearing age to become as physically and emotionally healthy as possible before becoming pregnant and to maintain that health status during and after pregnancy. Now is not the time to become complacent. As a state we cannot afford to take a step back from providing important education, services and support that all mothers, babies and families need to ensure that their health improves and the rates continue to drop.
While there is no single reason that explains the yearly increase or decrease in infant mortality rates, the 44 percent reduction since 1988 is a testament to the hard work being done at the state, regional and local levels. It's OK to take a minute to feel good about the progress that has been made. Then it is time to get back to work. Please join us!
Ways you can help:
Resources
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Infant Safe Sleep
Hospitals – Valuable partners
The recently released North Carolina infant mortality statistics show that the number of babies dying in 2010 from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was down 46% from 2009 (53 babies died in 2010 compared with 98 in 2009). While there is no clear explanation for what caused last year's dramatic decrease, this historic low shows that we should not ease up on our efforts to reduce the risk of babies dying from this unexplained cause. Reducing risks leads to a reduction in deaths - even if SIDS can't be prevented. We need all the partners we can find.
Why hospitals? We are asked that a lot because babies almost never die of SIDS in a hospital. The answer is easy. Most babies in our state are born in a hospital and parents consider hospital staff to be credible messengers and role models for how to care for infants. Right after a baby is born is a teachable moment for new parents who are also learning about other important infant care and safety topics.
Hospitals often have a reputation for being competitive, not cooperative. But that is definitely NOT the case in North Carolina when it comes to making sure that the families hospitals serve are educated about safe sleep practices for their babies (or grandbabies).
During Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month in October, 49 hospitals voluntarily participated in the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation's fourth annual hospital outreach program. All 49 made a commitment to increasing awareness of ways to reduce the risk of SIDS – both in their hospitals and through the local media. In exchange, all 49 received free educational materials to distribute in their hospital to parents of babies born in October.
The newest infant safe sleep material included the unique and attractive "Infant Safe Sleep Checklist" which addresses infant sleep position (on the back), creating a safe sleeping place, keeping the baby comfortable – not too hot, giving babies awake supervised "tummy time" and the benefits of breastfeeding.
Hospital outreach has been a priority of the Foundation since 2007 when it began the HOPES Project (Hospital Outreach and Partnerships to Educate about Safe Sleep). Read more about the success of this program and the newly created Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Model of Excellence Program in the Foundation section of this issue.
SIDS Awareness Month comes once a year, but the Foundation makes resources available for parents, health care, childcare and social service providers, churches, businesses, etc. all year long:
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RICHES
Refer and reward!
Fall is here which means the holiday season is just around the corner. For most, it's a time for giving and giving thanks. RICHES is truly thankful for all of your support. RICHES isn't just a directory, it's a community organization support network! Many members of the RICHES Network have been able to expand their services, offer more resources and share a sigh of relief because of the support offered. As RICHES rolls into a third year we're continually looking for ways to strengthen and keep members encouraged.
Over the past few months, we have compiled a list of your needs and your interests. On top of that list is the request for more resources and community partnerships with local mental health programs. So after reviewing our list we have checked it twice. In the spirit of the holiday season, RICHES will increase your connections to mental health services through the November 7th -21st Holiday Recruitment Challenge.
To participate, you must be a RICHES member. Not a member? Well what are you waiting for? There is no fee to join RICHES and signing up is quick and simple! Join RICHES by visiting us online to complete a recruitment packet. Already a member? Well, get ready. The game is as simple as 1 – 2 – 3.
- Talk to your friends and partners from local mental health programs. Tell them about RICHES and get them to fill out a RICHES recruitment packet.
- Send your list to [email protected] to get the credit for these referrals.
- Compete for a prize for your program! Your referrals must submit a RICHES recruitment packet before November 21st!
You could be one of our top winners! The members with the most recruits will each receive a grand prize. RICHES is proud to reward individual members for their recruitment efforts, however, the greatest reward is being able to provide resources to organizations to help those in their communities.
"The RICHES program strives to build the capacity of community based organizations to address the health and health related needs of women in their communities whether it is physical or mental health,"," says Ava Crawford, RICHES Project Director.
"If you have resources to help improve the life of one woman, you support a whole family because healthy women build healthy communities."
From mid-September to mid-October, RICHES launched a 30-day Recruitment Blitz. Congratulations to our top three local community partners for referring a combined total of six organizations to the network!
- Dolly Clayton, Chatham County Department of Public Health
- Sunshine Gilliam, LifeLine Pregnancy Help Center
- Deborah Savage, Pitt County AIDS Service Organization
As the grand prize winners they received a $50 gift card for their programs. RICHES also sends special thanks to its state partners for referring ten new organizations. We would like to honor them but we don't want to be naughty; state guidelines don't allow us to give them gifts. Many thanks to:
- Julie Gooding Hasty, NC Division of Public Health, Women's Health Branch
- Heather Owens, NC Division of Public Health, Women's Health Branch
- Juanita Woodley, NC Division of Public Health, Vocational Rehabilitation Services
RICHES is dedicated to improving the health of women, particularly minorities and those living in low-wealth communities, by creating opportunities for community-based organizations to educate, encourage and support women in adopting healthier lifestyles and behaviors. Learn more about RICHES and the Holiday Recruitment Blitz.
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Latina Health
Anemia: Often missed in Latinas
More than 3 million people in the United States have iron-deficiency anemia. Women and people with chronic diseases are at the greatest risk for anemia, according to the Office of Women's Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Some studies have shown that there is a high rate of anemia among Mexican women living in the United States and there is possibly a racial factor predisposing these women to iron deficiency.
Blood lost during menstruation and the increased demand for blood during pregnancy can compound the problem. If anemia is not treated during pregnancy it can cause premature birth or miscarriage, or may even cause the newborn to have weight or developmental problems.
It is common for women to confuse the symptoms of anemia with weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of energy or just simply with being tired. Anemia that is untreated for long periods of time can severely affect a woman's organs or her unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to alert your patients, or women you serve, about the signs and symptoms of anemia.
If a Latina complains of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, irritability, palpitations, numbness in hands and feet, shortness of breath or lack of concentration at work or school, you should to refer her for a blood test that checks her iron levels. You can also recommend foods high in iron that are common in Latino diets such as lentils, beans, liver, pumpkin seeds, figs, spinach and broccoli.
In addition, ask your patient what remedies or supplements she takes at home. Beyodecta injections, a metabolism-boosting drug believed to prevent vitamin deficiency, are widely sold and used in Mexico for treating symptoms similar to anemia. Vitamin B-12 or liver-extract injections are also common to fight fatigue or anemia.
Another type of anemia that can affect Latinos is "sickle cell anemia," especially for those who have African ancestry. Sometimes sickle cell anemia is mistakenly thought to affect only African Americans so Latinas are often not screened for it. Furthermore, many Latinas have not heard about this disease and are not aware of its risks.
Latinas need to be educated about the different types of anemia, how to have a healthy balanced diet and how to detect symptoms of anemia. There is plenty of information in English and Spanish that you can print and discuss with your patients.
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Foundation News
Infant Safe Sleep Awards
You've probably heard others say that hospitals are competitive and don't work together. You won't hear that coming out of our mouths. Over the past four years, the Foundation has seen that when it comes to educating patients and ensuring the health and safety of babies, hospital staff are open, willing to share and eager to learn. In recognition of those hospitals that have voluntarily made infant safe sleep a priority, the Foundation announces its first Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Model of Excellence Awards.
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation is proud to announce that five North Carolina hospitals have been awarded an inaugural Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Model of Excellence Award. Additionally, eight hospitals that excelled in at least one area, but not all, were recognized as Infant Safe Sleep Leaders (see listing at end of article). Several more hospitals are making significant efforts towards reaching the award criteria.
The purpose of this award is to recognize hospitals that are proven leaders in infant safe sleep policy, practice and education. Endorsed by the N.C. Hospital Association and the N.C. Child Fatality Task Force, the award was first announced in July to all hospitals in North Carolina that deliver babies and provide care to children less than one year of age.
This award is an extension of the Foundation's hospital-based safe sleep initiative HOPES (Hospital Outreach and Partnership for Education about Safe Sleep), started in 2007 with funding from the CJ Foundation for SIDS. Because research has shown the important role hospital personnel have in shaping new parents' behavior, HOPES has helped hospital staff understand that keeping a child healthy and safe goes beyond just the time spent in the hospital. It has also helped hospitals implement ways to increase the impact they can have on reducing the risk of SIDS and other infant sleep-related deaths after the baby has left the hospital.
At past regional HOPES meetings, hospitals have truly collaborated – sharing information and resources, serving as mentors and helping other hospitals identify solutions. The Foundation remains committed to linking hospitals and providing technical assistance and resources as needed. Two more rounds of nominations will be announced in 2012 so hospitals that are newer to the process, have instituted new policies or practices since the summer, or didn't have time to complete the original nomination form will have a chance to be recognized. Congratulations to the following:
Models of Excellence
- Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
- Carolinas Medical Center – Levine's Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC
- Carolinas Medical Center – Pineville, Charlotte, NC
- Carolinas Medical Center – Union, Monroe, NC
- Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, NC
Leaders
- Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Whiteville, NC
- Halifax Regional Medical Center, Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Heritage Hospital, Tarboro, NC
- Lake Norman Regional Hospital, Mooresville, NC
- Presbyterian Hospital, Matthews, NC
- Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, NC
- Presbyterian Hospital, Huntersville, NC
- Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, NC
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