The first Monday in October is recognized as Child Health Day, an observance day intended to put the focus on the importance on healthy children.
“On Child Health Day, we are reminded that by giving our children a healthy start in life, we put them and our Nation on the path to a successful future,” reads the proclamation from President Barack Obama. “As we mark this important occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to meeting that most fundamental responsibility.”
The federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration focuses improving child health by reducing infant mortality. They have five priority areas:
- Reduce Elective Deliveries Before 39 Weeks. Florida’s 39 Weeks campaign aims to reduce non-medically necessary deliveries prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy.
- Increase Safe Sleep Practices. Sleep-related deathsaccount for a large portion of post-neonatal deaths and are largely preventable.
- Enhance Perinatal Regionalization Reduction
- Increase Smoking Cessation Among Pregnant Women. The Coalition will be piloting the SCRIPT smoking cessation program for home visiting and case management programs. The issue of smoking is identified in the Coalition’s Service Delivery Plan; the strategy was part of the annual action plan update that the Coalition adopted in June.
- Expand Access to Interconception Care