Healthy Births
Recent statistics:
- In 2007, 13.6 percent of infants were born preterm in Georgia.
- Between 1996 and 2006, the rate of infants born preterm in Georgia increased nearly 24 percent.
- In 2006, 9.6 percent of infants (14,232 babies) were born in Georgia had low birth weight.
- Between 1996 and 2006, the rate of infants with low birth weight in Georgia increased 13 percent.
- Major risk factors for low birth weight include multifetal pregnancy, prematurity, smoking, inadequate maternal nutrition and extremes of maternal age.
- In Georgia, eight out of every 1,000 infants die before their first birthday.
- Birth defects, prematurity and low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome are among the leading causes of infant mortality.
Source: March of Dimes PeriStats and Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS); Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health, Office of Health Information and Policy
Ways to address the issue
- Promote food and nutrition research, education and services, such as folic acid consumption, for all women of childbearing age.
- Improve newborn screening as well as follow-up and treatment of infants who test positive for disorders through screening.
- Establish state initiatives to improve maternal and child healthcare.
- Improve the health of preterm and low birth weight infants and children living with birth defects, including public funding for priority programs.
- Promote initiatives for prevention and cessation of smoking, alcohol and substance abuse affecting women of childbearing age and children.
- Promote initiatives to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.