========================= JeffNEWS, August 16, 1994 ========================= Jefferson Helping to Reduce Infant Mortality -------------------------------------------- In West and Southwest Philadelphia, the number of infants who die within their first year is 22 of every 1,000 babies born, almost two-and-one-half times the national average of 9 deaths per 1,000. The majority of infant deaths occur because expectant mothers can't gain access to proper care, support and education. To turn this situation around, Jefferson has joined the federally funded Healthy Start Initiative, managed by the City of Philadelphia Department of Health. Healthy Start is a comprehensive program that makes it easier for women in these two areas to obtain the prenatal and postnatal care, support and education they need for themselves and their newborns. "All patients from West and Southwest Philadelphia who come to Jefferson Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates (JOGA) for prenatal care are offered the Healthy Start benefits, which consist of expanded nutritional counseling, childbirth/parenting education and social work services," said social worker, Sheila Rosenberg, MSW, Jefferson's Healthy Start project coordinator. Healthy Start's collaborative program brings together community residents, community agencies and healthcare providers, including Jefferson and five other hospitals. The agencies often refer their clients to one of the hospitals. Representatives of these groups meet frequently to network and participate in activities, such as health fairs. This heightens the awareness of community needs and increases the possibility that they can be addressed. Through funding from Healthy Start in the amount of $130,830, Jefferson works to remove the obstacles to care that expectant mothers in these areas face, such as: o Lack of knowledge that free maternal and infant health care exists. o Lack of a sitter to care for other children while the expectant mother visits the doctor. o Lack of money to pay for a sitter. o Difficulty with transportation and lack of money to pay for it. People from certain parts of West and Southwest Philadelphia, who prefer to come to Jefferson, must take three buses to get here "Jefferson asked to participate in this project because approximately 21 percent of the women cared for in the JOGA clinic come from these two neighborhoods," Ms. Rosenberg explained. The Healthy Start services are provided by the JOGA Clinic Care Support Team, consisting of Ms. Rosenberg, nutritionist Beth Meriwether, RD, childbirth/parenting educator, Marlene Rosenblum, RN, and JOGA's Healthy Start patient liaison, Rosetta Overton. Social Work Services Ms. Rosenberg seeks to link program participants with other Healthy Start-affiliated agencies. She tells patients how to contact infant "lending closets" where they can obtain cribs, strollers and other large pieces of equipment at no cost. Another agency her clients rely on is a maternity transport program, Metrocare Healthy Start Transport. "If a woman or her baby has an appointment here for up to a year after the baby's birth and if she has difficulty with regular transportation, the Metrocare van will bring her to Jefferson," she said. Ms. Overton, who schedules this transportation, also visits the maternity unit. There, she invites qualified mothers who have already delivered their babies and women in the high-risk unit to join the program. Mothers who need money for childcare while they're at the JOGA clinic can obtain it through Healthy Start Express. This service also has trained lay home visitors who go door-to-door, telling pregnant women about Healthy Start and urging them to go for prenatal care. The Express even has group baby showers where the mothers-to-be receive gifts! Nutrition Services Because good nutrition is so important for the mother and her developing baby, Healthy Start patients must have at least one individual session with Ms. Meriwether, the program nutritionist, to learn about the benefits of eating right. "When patients expressed an interest in learning more about how to cook and eat in a healthier way, the program made it possible for me to hold classes in label-reading and in low-fat cooking of their favorite foods," she said. Childbirth/Parent Education Services Healthy Start patients can learn more about childbirth and parenting in a variety of classes. One class is on breast feeding, which is led by childbirth/parenting educator, Ms. Rosenblum. "Peer counselors, of similar ages and backgrounds - some of whom are former Healthy Start participants themselves - share their positive experiences with breast feeding and offer the kind of support and advice that come from first-hand knowledge," she said. "We were able to start a Safety Class for our Healthy Start clients so they can learn to protect themselves and their families against sexually transmitted diseases and violence in the streets and at home; be alert to child abuse, and become knowledgeable about family planning." In addition, Healthy Start has made it possible to: increase the frequency of existing classes, such as childbirth and Mom's classes; provide more one-on-one education; and offer individual make-up sessions when women have to miss classes. Extended Hours Thanks to an additional $10,000 Healthy Start grant, JOGA has extended prenatal and family-planning counseling to the evening - every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. New Support Group In addition, with input from a Healthy Start client, Ms. Rosenberg, Ms. Rosenblum, Ms. Meriwether and Ms. Overton have just formed the "Coffee Talk" monthly support group. This gives women and their partners the opportunity to air feelings related to pregnancy and early parenting. The group held its first meeting on June 24. For more information, call Ms. Rosenberg at 7181. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information provided by: Editor, JeffNEWS (215) 955-6204 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------