Expectant moms in their first trimester who have a doctor can now enoll in the Jacksonville Stork’s Nest prenatal classes.

Classes will begin Dec.3, 2011 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. After completing the six sessions, the participants will have the opportunity to shop in the fully furnished storks nest. A light lunch and incentives will be provided.

To sign up, fill out the registration card and bring it to the Stork’s Nest (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Beta Alpha Zeta, 3806 Moncrief Rd, Jacksonville, FL). Providers who would like to refer clients can complete a referral card.

The Teen Sensations @ West Jax clinic is opening November 2. The clinic is for teens and will feature physicals, STD & HIV screenings, pregnancy tests, family planning and health education. All services are free.

The clinic is at the West Jax Family Health Center, a Duval County Health Department clinic. It is located at 120 King St. in Jacksonville.

The NEFL Teen Pregnancy Task Force identified teen-only clinics in each county as a priority. Research has shown that teens are more likely to use, and do better in, clinics that offer a comprehensive, interdisciplinary model of physical, behavioral, and reproductive health care that is explicitly designed to welcome adolescents and respond to their particular needs.

Prematurity Awareness Month

Florida earned a “D” grade from the March of Dimes for its premature birth rate — an improvement from the “F” it has received for several years in a row.

The March of Dimes publishes grades yearly, using data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Prematurity is a leading cause of newborn death and can lead to lifelong complications.

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month.

The rate of babies born prior to 37 weeks in Florida decreased from 13.8 percent in 2008 to 13.5 in 2009.States are graded by comparing their individual rate of premature birth to the March of Dimes 2020 goal of 9.6 percent.

While the rate of uninsured women in the state increased, there were improvements in women smoking and late pre-term birth rates (34-36 weeks gestation).

There are three states — Louisiana, Missippi & Alabama — and one territory — Puerto Rico — that still have “F” grades. Only Vermont received an “A” grade.  The nation as a whole — with a premature birth rate of 12.2 percent –  was given a “C” grade.

Florida Stats:

• Goal: 9.6%
• Rate: 13.5%
• Grade: D

Find out more information about the March of Dimes’ 2011 report card here.

Healthy Start Board members Karen Wolfson and Rev. Tom Rodgers advocated for continued support of the program at a hearing of the Duval Legislative Delegation on Monday.

Calling Healthy Start “the state’s flagship program for addressing infant mortality,” Ms. Wolfson underscored the cost-effectiveness of the initiative in avoiding costly NICU care.

Rev. Rodgers outlined the impact of funding cuts during the last legislative session. “The bottom line is that more than 1,300 pregnant women and infants will not get services this year as a result of budget cuts,” he stated, “This comes at a time when we are celebrating our success in reducing infant deaths in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”

Funding cuts threaten continued improvements in the health of mothers and babies, he said. Ms. Wolfson and Rev. Rodgers joined representatives from more than 70 organizations speaking at the annual legislative hearing. Healthy Start funding in Northeast Florida was cut by nearly $600,000 in 2011-12 as part of a $5.4 million reduction in statewide program funding.

The Department of Health released the official infant mortality rates for 2010, which show across the board decreases in babies dying before their first birthday.

We reported the preliminary rates in September. The official rates show a slightly bigger decrease for the state and region. The state infant mortality rate decreased from 6.9 in 2009 to 6.5 (in 2010) per 1,000 live births. The regional rate for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties decreased from 7.9 in 2009 to 7.3 in 2010.

2010 Infant Mortality Rates, Florida & Northeast Florida

Source: Florida Department of Health

The black infant mortality rate — which typically is twice as high as the white rate — is also declining.

2010 Black Infant Moratality Rate, Florida & Northeast Florida

Source: Florida Department of Health