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Levy Administration’s Focus on Prenatal Programs Has Helped Reduce County’s Infant Mortality Rate by One-third
Hauppauge, NY -- April showers bring May flowers—and healthy babies to Suffolk, thanks to a program sponsored by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy’s Office of Minority Health.
The Office of Minority Health, in conjunction with Suffolk Perinatal Coalition, Inc. and Babies ‘R’ Us, conducted its third in a series of baby showers for underserved expectant women on April 29. The event, held at the Patchogue-Medford Library, drew 26 expectant mothers, along with their families and friends. The program, entitled “Suffolk April Showers – A Healthy Baby Begins With You!” is part of a national initiative developed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Minority Health.
“Suffolk April Showers” provided pregnant women, some as young as teenagers, with presentations and information on baby safety, breastfeeding and other areas relating to infants’ health and survival, along with fun and traditional baby shower games. As an additional surprise, Levy handed out 78 gift bags to attendees. The county executive addressed the crowd, pledging that Suffolk will continue its proactive approach to lowering the infant mortality rate in the county.
There were 101 infant deaths in Suffolk County in 2003, one year prior to Levy’s election as county executive. By 2007, that figure was reduced to 66 – one-third of the baseline set in 2003.
“The decline in Suffolk County’s infant mortality rate is a testament to the efforts of our health department and the many non-profit organizations that have provided educational events such as ‘Suffolk April Showers,’” said Levy. “Even with this good news, it is important to sustain our efforts and to inform all expectant mothers about the numerous services that are available to them, year round. Our county health centers are committed to providing as much assistance as possible.”
Suffolk County’s 10 health centers offer numerous programs to expectant mothers including one-on-one nurse counseling, prenatal health education, a nurse case management program for at risk pregnant women, and mothers support groups through the Division of Patient Care. These health centers serve residents who are both with and without health insurance.
The “Suffolk April Showers” events this year marked the third year in a row that the county’s Office of Minority Health in Health Services collaborated with other organizations to address the issue of health disparities affecting minority populations in Suffolk County. This year’s focus on infant mortality is highlighted by the fact that African-American infants are almost two times more likely die within the first year of life and die from causes such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as compared to white infants. In addition, according to health officials, Latina mothers are two and a half times more likely to begin prenatal care late in their pregnancy or not receive prenatal care at all.
Since taking office in 2004, Levy has launched several initiatives to revitalize Suffolk County’s Health Services Department. He has expanded the department to include the Office of Minority Health in 2005, and more recently the Division of Preventive Medicine in 2008. Dr. Humayun Chaudhry, a recognized expert in the field of health care, was hired as commissioner in 2007.
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