Preventing Infant Mortality in Georgia February 2019 | Page 3

Results Matter: Preventing Infant Mortality in Georgia
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Lowndes County Board of Health
Implemented and evaluated the Baby LUV (Lowndes Unique Victories) program,
targeting the “highest of the high risk” African-American pregnant women ages
13-45 years with multiple risk factors that contribute to high-risk pregnancies.
This project also: 1) completed RLPs with Baby LUV participants and educated
them on long-acting reversible contraceptives; 2) conducted intensive home case
management, educational sessions and linkage to community resources; 3)
conducted outreach events in collaboration with South Georgia Medical Center to
provide education and resources to individuals throughout the community; 4)
displayed safe sleep communications materials throughout the health department and across the 10-county district,
including Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and Children’s 1st programs; 5) developed a referral process to ensure all
women that receive WIC services are referred to family planning; and 6) conducted outreach in two low-income
housing areas to provide education on public health services, market Baby LUV, and provide information on premature
births, infant mortality and safe sleep.
Southwest Public Health District
Implemented and evaluated the CenteringPregnancy® model of care at the
Dougherty County Health Department and the Ellenton Farm Worker Health
Clinic in Colquitt County. The Dougherty site targets low-income African-
Americans, and the Ellenton clinic targets Medicaid-ineligible Hispanic farm
workers. Centering is an evidence-based model of healthcare that incorporates
assessment, education and support into a unified program within a group setting.
A group of pregnant women with similar gestational ages met, learned self-care and infant-care skills, participated in
facilitated discussions and developed a support network with peers. Groups met throughout the pregnancy and
postpartum periods.
This project also: 1) educated women about breastfeeding, family planning and adequate child spacing, signs and
symptoms of preterm labor, car seat safety, safe sleep and the importance of postpartum care; 2) completed RLPs for
women in Centering, WIC, perinatal case management, adult health, well women health, breast and cervical cancer
prevention, physician services and family planning throughout the 14-county district; 3) educated women on safe
sleep practices; and 4) conducted telemedicine in its Centering program.
Porter Novelli and Emory University
Healthcare Georgia Foundation also provided social marketing assistance to the community grantees through a
partnership with Porter Novelli ($450,000, 3-year total) who worked with the grantees to develop a social marketing
campaign, Taking Care of Your Baby Starts with Taking Care of You, that also included booklets and fact sheets in
English and Spanish on a variety of topics, including family planning, folic acid, seeing a doctor, breastfeeding, safe
sleep, avoiding tobacco use, and managing weight. The Foundation also provided evaluation and technical assistance
in implementing and evaluating TCOY through a partnership with Emory University ($445,000, 3-year total).