Saving Babies
PAGE 30 PROGRAM SUCCESS – NOVEMBER 2008
Infant Mortality - Jennie Joseph ’ s Life Long Passion
September was National Infant Mortality Month but for Jennie Joseph the fight to provide quality prenatal care for all expecting mothers and to reduce the high infant mortality rate is a year-round campaign . Infant Mortality is the death of a live-born baby within the first year of life . During this time of year , her goal is to continue to educate mothers , fathers , family members , community leaders and the public about the shocking number of infant deaths being experienced by families in The United States , and how they can be reduced . “ Simply put , our babies are dying ! People just don ’ t realize the impact of infant mortality in our communities and so we have launched our Campaign for Healthier Babies ,” states Jennie Joseph , Florida Midwife , Executive Director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc . and the founder of The JJ Way™ Maternity Health Care System .
The United States is 41st in a ranking of 222 countries according to the CIA World Fact Book 2008 ¹. Nationally , around 6 of every 1000 babies born will die before their first birthday . Many are lost within the first month of life . The leading causes of death are prematurity ( being born too soon ), low birth weight ( being born too small ), congenital birth defects , Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS or crib death ) and injuries .
The rate for minority populations is higher and varies markedly from area to area . Sadly , African Americans fare worse than any other race and typically experience infant deaths at a rate of two to four times the average for White Americans ; their current national rate is 14 per 1000 . In Memphis , Tennessee , a Black baby dies every 43 hours ² - an unbelievable situation which reflects the trend of a widening disparity between health outcomes for people of color in America . In every community , infant mortality rates must be reduced .
“ These are not just numbers on a page from yet another spreadsheet ,” Joseph points out , “ rather these statistics represent shattered lives , dashed hopes , and unfulfilled potential as families grieve the loss of their loved one . It is impossible to measure the pain ,” she says . Individuals , consumer groups , community and national agencies such as Healthy Start , United Way , March of Dimes , state health departments , health care organizations and facilities , nurses , midwives and physicians have been and continue to dedicate their time and resources to addressing this problem . Studies have shown that :
• Quality , timely and consistent prenatal care and education reduces Infant Mortality
• Women who are healthy before and between pregnancies have healthier babies
• New and innovative approaches to prenatal care are needed
Infant dMortality Jennie Joseph The Birthing Center Orlando , Florida November 2008
• Government , non-profit and private funding is needed to help communities provide better access to women ’ s health care .
The JJ Way™ Maternal Child Health System
“ Every Woman Wants a Healthy Baby and Every Woman Deserves One ”
The Birth Place birthing center serves women from all walks of life who ultimately have healthy pregnancies and babies under the care of Jennie ’ s innovative prenatal care program , aptly named The JJ ( Jennie Joseph ) Way™ . The mission is simple : to improve pregnancy and infant health outcomes by increasing ACCESS , providing EDUCATION and offering SUPPORT .
The JJ Way™ incorporates several components that we believe are critical to healthier outcomes :
Easy Access Prenatal Care Centers provide care to all women who are pregnant regardless of financial , insurance and citizenship constraints . Early entry and consistent prenatal care is emphasized ; no-one is turned away .
Quality Healthcare is provided in warm , comfortable surroundings , family participation is encouraged and the goal of a full-term healthy baby is stressed . Listening to mothers ’ and fathers ’ needs and concerns empowers and encourages compliance with care as well as reducing fear .