Getting a healthy start in life is important but so is maintaining health throughout childhood. All children need vaccines to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases. Vaccines help a child’s body create antibodies, which are the body’s defenses to fight off foreign substances (germs) and fight diseases. Although the human body can create antibodies on its own,… Read More

Valerie Eldridge is an alumnus of the 2013-2014 North Florida Health Corps AmeriCorps program. She currently is a Human Services Counselor with the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County Healthy Start program, where she also completed her AmeriCorps service. She shares her role in preventing infant mortality: As we move into September, infant mortality… Read More

A healthy pregnancy is key to having a healthy baby. Prenatal care is the care a woman receives when she is pregnant. As soon as a woman “thinks” she is pregnant she should call a healthcare provider to make an appointment to confirm and schedule her first prenatal appointment. Health professionals that help pregnant women include obstetricians, family… Read More

Having healthy babies isn’t just about having a healthy pregnancy: The health of a woman prior to pregnancy has the largest impact on birth outcomes. Preconception health is a woman’s health during the years she can have a child. If you are planning to have a baby, your health prior to pregnancy can have a… Read More

Moms. Dads. Grandparents. Doctors. Nurses. Hospitals. Everyone plays a role in preventing infant mortality. September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, a time to reflect on what we can do to make sure every baby has a healthy start and celebrate our babies that reached their first birthdays. In Northeast Florida, more than 140 babies under… Read More