Kids Count in Michigan 2007

December 5, 2007—The 2007 Kids Count in Michigan Databook released this week shows that Oakland County continues to improve on various measures of overall maternal and infant well-being.    The county improved in the following trends:

• Preterm births (percent of total births):  1993-95: 10.2%; 1998-2000: 10.2%; 2003-2005: 9.2%
• Teen Pregnancy (average rate per 1,000, age 15-19):  1993-95: 61.6; 1998-2000:  43.2; 2003-2005: 34.6
• Repeat births to teens (percent of births age 15-19): 1993-95: 19.8%; 1998-2000: 19.3%; 2003-2005: 15.9%
• Births to women who smoked during pregnancy (average percent of total births): 1993-95: 14.8%; 1998-2000: 9.2%; 2003-2005: 5.7%
• Births to women who received late or no prenatal care (percent of total births): 1993-95: 2.4%; 1998-2000: 1.3%; 2003-2005: 1.4%

Oakland County cut its percentage of women who smoked during pregnancy by over 50% in the last decade and is the lowest among all Michigan counties.  The county’s teen pregnancy rate also continues to drop significantly. 

“These infant health measures have continually improved or remained essentially stable through the years,” reports George Miller, Manager/Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division.   “This shows we are making strides in the right direction, however there is still work to be done.”

The Michigan Department of Community Health reports that while Oakland County’s overall infant mortality rate (6.5 for 2004-2006 period), is lower than the statewide average, disparities persist between African American and white infant mortality rates within specific regions of the county like Pontiac and Southfield.

“The African American infant death rate is over three times higher that the white death rate,” states Miller.  “We must continue to address these disparities and safeguard mothers and infants.”

Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) provides a number of services to reduce infant mortality and help infants get a healthy start on life.

• Nurse Family Partnership (NFP): Access to care for low income, first time, pregnant African American women who reside in the City of Pontiac. NFP offers intense home visiting from Health Division Public Health Nurses. Nurses help families to improve maternal and child health, home and neighborhood environments and parenting skills.

• Public Health Nursing & Nutrition Services: A multi-disciplinary team of public health nurses and dietitians that make home visits to improve maternal and infant health. Home visiting services are available for women, children and their families before, during and after pregnancy. 

• Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC): Coupons for free food and nutrition education for eligible low-income, pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children under age five to ensure healthy pregnancies and proper growth of infants and children.

• Crib Notes:  Crib Notes is an intervention to reduce infant mortality by teaching adolescents about personal health and caring for infants such as siblings or other children. 216 Pontiac public school students have participated in the series over the last two years. 

• Child Health Clinics: Free, ongoing well care for children from birth to school entry. Families who do not have health insurance or are underinsured are eligible.

• Oakland County Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR): The FIMR team reviews infant deaths and identifies factors that relate to each death. The focus is on cities with high disparity rates, such as Pontiac and Southfield. Findings help health professionals and community stakeholders enhance and develop services for women and children.

• Childhood Immunizations: Immunizations for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children.

• Children’s Special Health Care Services: Helps families of children who have chronic health problems or disabilities pay for the child's special medical care needs, supplies and equipment.

For more information about Oakland County Health Division services, call the Health Division’s Nurse on Call at (248) 858-1406 or visit www.oakgov.com/health.

CONTACT PERSON:  George Miller, Manager/Health Officer
     Oakland County Health Division
     (248) 858-1410

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