Maternal and Child Health
Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important public health goal for the United States. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities, and the healthcare system. The objectives of the Maternal, Infant, and Child Health topic area address a wide range of conditions, health behaviors, and health systems indicators that affect the health, wellness, and quality of life of women, children, and families.
Obesity is the biggest contributor to health problems in the United States today. Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Strokes are but a few of the many adverse effects that obesity causes today in both our children and adult populations. Join the Wayne County Health Department in its fight against obesity in all ages to ensure that all members of our community enjoy life to their physical fullest!
Why Are Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Important?
Pregnancy can provide an opportunity to identify existing health risks in women and to prevent future health problems for women and their children.
The risk of maternal and infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications can be reduced by increasing access to quality preconception (before pregnancy), prenatal (during pregnancy), and interconception (between pregnancies) care. Moreover, healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of developmental delays and disabilities and other health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential.
Maternal Health
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience, for too many women it is associated with suffering, ill-health, and even death. The major direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include hemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labor.
Obstetrics
Having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Getting early and regular prenatal care improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This care can begin even before pregnancy with a preconception care visit to a health care provider.
Tdap during Pregnancy
The CDC recommends that women get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks gestation, regardless of when they last had the shot, to pass protection to their baby against whooping cough (pertussis). For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/get-vaccinated.html
The CDC also recommends family members and caregivers get the Tdap vaccine to provide indirect protection to their babies. When your baby’s family members and caregivers get a whooping cough vaccine they are not only protecting their own health but also helping form a “cocoon” of disease protection around the baby during the first few months of life.
Encourage others to get a whooping cough vaccine at least 2 weeks before meeting your baby if they are not up-to-date with their whooping cough vaccines.
WIC Services
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
For more information or visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic
Child Health
Car Seat Safety
Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That's why it's so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Follow these important steps to choose the right seat, install it correctly and keep your child safe.
Indiana’s child passenger safety law requires all children less than eight years of age to be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint system, which can include a belt positioning booster seat. Children at least 8 years old until their 16th birthday must be properly restrained in a child restraint or seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
For details on Indiana’s Child Restraint Law and more car safety for children, please visit:
Head Lice
For more information regarding detection, treatment, and household elimination of head lice, please visit:
MOMs Helpline
The Indiana State Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Division offers information and referral assistance with:
- Locating and connecting with a healthcare provider
- Navigating health insurance enrollment
- Baby programs
- Immunizations
- Baby items
- Transportation providers
- Free pregnancy, HIV, and STI tests
- Housing assistance
- Nutrition
- Education
- Behavioral health providers
The mission of the Maternal and Child Health MOMS Helpline is to reduce the infant mortality rate in Indiana by connecting families with access to available resources focused on improving the health of mothers and their children.
For information on their full list of services please visit: http://www.MomsHelpLine.isdh.in.gov
Tobacco Cessation
The use of tobacco products is one of the leading causes of cancer in the world today and continues to plague both adults and teens alike. Second and Third-hand smoke continue to see increased scientific evidence that they create health problems in innocent lives in homes today. The Wayne County Health Department, with its partners, is committed to seeing increases in human health as more residents end their addiction to tobacco products and enjoy healthy lives for themselves and their loved ones.
The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is a free phone-based counseling service that helps Indiana smokers quit. Services include:
- One-on-one coaching for tobacco users who have decided to quit
- Resources for healthcare providers who want to improve patient outcomes
- Best practices for employers who want to implement smoke-free policies
- Support for family and friends who want to help loved ones stop smoking
- Tools for tobacco-control partners to complement their current program
Services are available 7 days a week in more than 170 languages. A trained quit coach will work with you and provide solutions tailored to your needs.
For support information call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or visit: https://smokefree.gov