The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has joined the March of Dimes Florida Chapter to promote a preconception health initiative known as Every Woman Florida. The purpose of the initiative is to raise awareness among women about the importance of being healthy before pregnancy. The health of a woman before pregnancy is one of the primary factors that can lead to improved pregnancy and birth outcomes.
According to the Florida Chapter of the March of Dimes 2009 Mission Report, during an average week in Florida approximately 600 babies are born premature, 98 babies are born very premature, 380 babies are born low birth weight, 69 babies are born very low birth weight and 29 babies die before their first birthday. The Every Women Florida Preconception Initiative aims to reduce these statistics.
The preconception health of women can be improved by engaging healthcare providers to screen and educate every women of childbearing age at every health care visit. Providers can screen for any habits, medical history, environmental, or personal history that may lead to poor birth outcomes. Based on the results, providers can then educate women about how they can take steps to reduce or eliminate certain risks.
Preconception educational presentations are being offered to healthcare providers via Hospital Grand Round Presentations across the state. Sarasota Memorial Hospital hosted the first presentation given by Dr. Washington Hill on May 7, 2010 and University of South Florida School of Medicine at Tampa General Hospital hosted the second presentation given by Dr. Robert Yelverton on June 2, 2010. Dr. Hill’s presentation is available on the Sarasota Memorial Hospital website at:
http://home.smh.com/sections/services-procedures/medlib/education/Podcasts.html. The next grand rounds presentation will be held Friday, August 6, 2010, from 7:30-8:30 am at the Sacred Heart Hospital Lecture Hall in Pensacola, Florida.
Additional information about preconception health is available at www.everywomanfl.com or www.marchofdimes.com. The mission of the Florida Department of Health is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida.
