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MCMCH LOGO       Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
                 Friday Notes
Friday Notes is intended to share current information, resources and notices.
If you have information or announcements that you would like to have included in the next issue forward them to MCMCH.
                    March 25, 2011
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In this issue
MCMCH Presentation Details Infant Mortality
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Day

Council Presents Infant Mortality Basics to House Committee 

Infant mortality was the topic of the morning at the House Health Policy Committee on Thursday and MCMCH was invited to provide a comprehensive overview of this complicated issue.  Council Executive Director Amy Zaagman and Executive Board member Dr. Cheryl Gibson Fountain provided basic information on infant mortality and educated committee members on the many factors that contribute to Michigan's infant mortality rate. 

 

"As you drill down to find out what is causing our rate to be higher (than the national average), some definite trends, and obvious disparities, emerge," Zaagman said. "Babies that die in Michigan are disproportionately babies of color, the African American infant mortality rate is three times that of white babies in our state. More babies born to mothers on Medicaid die in the first year, more of them were unintended pregnancies, and they are primarily premature."

 

Zaagman noted that poor preconception health, lack of adequate prenatal care, or both for a mother, add to the risk of infant mortality.  The Committee viewed a slide presentation, which included the Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) "map." The PPOR map is a useful way to discuss underlying factors in infant mortality; it displays four areas of concentration to prevent deaths based on age at death and birthweight: maternal health/prematurity, maternal care, newborn care and infant health.

 

Zaagman stressed the impact of unintended pregnancies, citing the 2008 Michigan Pregnancy Related Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey that shows 43 percent of live births in Michigan were the result of unintended pregnancies. Of those, more than 67 percent of the births were funded by Medicaid.

 

"This is just the beginning of the complexities of unintended pregnancies and their impact on healthy birth outcomes as we know women in these situations are likely to experience more stressors emotionally, economically and within their relationships, and we know they are less likely to seek early prenatal care," Zaagman said.

 

"What I would hope that you take away from today's presentation is that we can do better when it comes to infant mortality but we have to be willing to invest, and stop disinvesting, in resources and access," Zaagman said.

 

Dr. Gibson Fountain discussed the issue of access to obstetrical care, and how factors such as the costs of malpractice insurance, lawsuits and Medicaid reimbursement lead to a shrinking number of obstetricians/

gynecologists as well as pediatricians in some areas of the state. Michigan currently has 17 contiguous counties in the Lower Peninsula that lack hospital labor and delivery units.

 

Wayne State School of Medicine Dean Valerie Parisi also presented to the Committee on the work being done on perinatal mortality research at the National Institutes of Health's Perinatology Research Branch (PRB). WSU was awarded a 10-year contract to house the branch by the NIH in 2002. Since its inception, the PRB has conducted clinical and basic research in perinatal medicine helping to develop diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes.

 

Discussing the advanced research the PRB conducts to help determine the causes of preterm birth, Dean Parisi echoed the Council's message that "preparation for pregnancy" can have the biggest impact, in terms of the mother's pre-pregnancy health and prenatal care.

 

View the full MCMCH slide presentation here. 

Read Amy Zaagman's full testimony here. 

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Michigan Children's Trust Fund Hosts Prevention Awareness Day April 12 

In 2010, 32,335 children in Michigan were abused or neglected. That's 89 every day. Our kids deserve better. The Michigan Children's Trust Fund (CTF) was established in 1982 by a bipartisan Michigan Legislature to be a voice for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. As part of that charge, each year CTF, in partnership with its Council network, hosts a day in Lansing to bring attention to issues of child abuse and neglect.

This year, the Prevention Awareness Day events will take place on April 12. Events include an 11 AM rally at the Lansing State Capitol steps, including notable speakers and entertainment, with a procession and planting of a pinwheel garden; and a Legislative Education Day component to afford CTF grantees and other stakeholders an opportunity to educate legislators about prevention needs and current programming across the state. There are no fees to participate in either event. 

Having an opportunity to speak with legislators can positively impact the child abuse prevention work being accomplished in Michigan.  This year, CTF is partnering with Michigan's Children to assist in coordinating the Legislative Education Day (LED) portion of Prevention Awareness Day. Register online for the LED here. To find legislators so that you may make an appointment to see him or her, visit this link.

Thanks to generous sponsors, food will be served to LED participants.  Also, CTF is planning an hour-long webinar training for those LED registrants who wish to increase their knowledge about how to effectively meet and speak with legislators.  It is planned for the week of April 4. Additional information is forthcoming. 

Finally, financial donations are always appreciated and will enable a more memorable and successful Prevention Awareness Day.  To donate you may send a check to "Michigan's Children" and mail to Michigan's Children, 428 W. Lenawee, Lansing, MI 48933.  Be sure to write "CTF PrAD" on the note line of the check or donate online.

Feel free to contact Emily Schuster-Wachsberger by email or call (517) 335-0671) with any Prevention Awareness Day questions.  For specific LED and donation inquiries, please contact Chuck Calati, (517) 485-3500, at Michigan's Children.
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Contributors to this Issue
AHIP HI-Wire
Children's Trust Fund
HealthDay
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Quick Links . . .

Many Obese Mothers, Children Underestimate Their Weight
A study of women and children conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City found that faulty body image was far more prevalent among the heaviest participants than people of normal weight.
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Poor Diet Linked to Early Signs of Heart Risks in Obese Kids
Obesity often saddles teenagers with a wide variety of conditions that boost the risk of heart disease, such as inflammation, insulin resistance and signs of trouble in the metabolic system, a small new study suggests.

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Screening Seems to Catch Dangerous Heart Condition in Kids
A low-cost screening test detected potentially deadly heart conditions in 10 out of 400 seemingly healthy children and teens in a pilot study.
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Americans' Exposure to Mercury From Fish Won't Harm Hearts: Study
Though repeatedly linked to neurological deficits in children and unborn babies, Americans' level of exposure to mercury from sources such as fish is not associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular disease, a new study suggests.
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Noninvasive Test May Identify Down Syndrome Early On
A simple blood test may one day offer a safe way to detect Down syndrome during pregnancy, researchers say.
In a small study, an experimental blood test identified a gene mutation associated with Down syndrome with 100 percent accuracy, according to the Cyprus scientists.
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The American Heart Association is pleased to offer mini-grants to help improve the cardiovascular health of communities. Grants, up to $5000, are available to non-profit organizations for projects that help build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Deadline is April 1, 2011 and funding will begin July 1, 2011.  For funding criteria and to download an application, go to www.heart.org/communityactiongrant.

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Order your 2011-12 Watch Me Grow Calendars!  This 24-month calendar highlights a different program each month - offering both program information and contact information. Activities and tips for parents are also offered throughout the calendar providing information on health, safety, nutrition, and parenting. The best part is that these calendars are $1 each.  Visit the website for complete information and order form.

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The Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Healthblur image MCMCH is made up of
member organizations who share a commitment to the health of
Michigan's women, children and families.
To learn more go to http://www.mcmch.org or email info@mcmch.org.

             Amy Zaagman - Executive Director - azaagman@mcmch.org
     Jennifer Gorchow - Communications Manager - jgorchow@mcmch.org 
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