Maternal, Infant, Child Health Healthy People 2020 Overview: “The well-being of mothers, infants, and children determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities and the medical care system. Moreover, healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. “ Why this is important: Infant mortality rate continues to be one of the most widely used indicators of the overall health status of a community. The leading causes of death among infants are birth defects, pre-term delivery, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and maternal complications during pregnancy. The Healthy People 2020 national health target is to reduce the infant mortality rate to 6 deaths per 1,000 live births. Source: GA Dept. of Public Health OASIS
Why this is important: Babies born with a low birth weight are more likely than babies of normal weight to require specialized medical care, and often must stay in the intensive care unit. Low birth weight is often associated with premature birth. While there have been many medical advances enabling premature infants to survive, there is still risk of infant death or long-term disability. The most important things an expectant mother can do to prevent prematurity and low birth weight are to take prenatal vitamins, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol and using drugs, and most importantly, get prenatal care. The Healthy People 2020 national health target is to reduce the proportion of infants born with low birth weight to 7.8 percent. Source: GA Dept. of Public Health OASIS
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