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Goal Chair: Dr. Kimberlee Wythe-Etheridge MD, MPH, Metro Public Health

Better education and utilization of prenatal care.
EVIDENCE
In 2002, about 1 in 26 infants in Tennessee (3.9% of live births) were born to a woman receiving late or no prenatal care.
In an average week in TN: 1,517 babies are born; 221 babies are born pre-term;140 babies are born low birth weight; 14 babies die before reaching their first birthday.
BARRIERS
Lack of transportation; understanding importance, child care insurance, user friendly services.
Fear/inability to cope; multiple layers to be explored.
Education on breastfeeding, especially for African Americans.
EVIDENCE
During 2001-2003 (average) in TN, pre-term birth rates were highest for black infants (18.5%), followed by whites (12.8%), Native Americans (12.8%) and Asians (11.5%).
BARRIERS

Need not analyzed in detail during the Rapid Design session.

Postpartum and inter-pregnancy care.
EVIDENCE
Breast fed babies have a 21% lower infant mortality rate between their first month of life and their first birthday than children who were not breast fed.
BARRIERS
Need not analyzed in detail during the Rapid Design session.
Access & advocacy for service & info.
EVIDENCE
Risk behaviors & environmental factors that can lead to infants with disabilities.
BARRIERS
Lack of school/success/low self esteem.
Fear of working in neighborhoods with poverty.
Education on brain development & typical development of children for caregivers.
EVIDENCE
First 36 months are critical for socio-emotional & brain development.
Pre-natal brain development is critical as well.
BARRIERS
Brain info not accessible/clear.
Message overload/advice overload/misinformation.
Access to resources for atypically developing child.
STRATEGIES
Use systematic surveillance of fetal and infant deaths to establish ongoing prevention strategies.
Increase the number of breast fed infants, especially African-American infants.
Increase the number of reproductive aged women who receive preconception and inter-conception care.
Provide a home visit to all postpartum women.
Incentive-based program to encourage pre & post natal care & education.
Public awareness program.
TACTICS
Caregiver/provider focus.
Develop message.
Targeted distribution of information.
Audio/visual message.
Improve access/utilization.
Monitor/evaluation schedule.

METRICS
Decrease infant mortality rates.
Decrease number of pre-term births.
WHY
Birth rate goes up.
Brief presentations about each Goal Prioritized Listing of Needs Measuring our Success Key Features of Programs & Services Barriers to Achieving our Goals Summary Grid of Needs & Strategies Thanks to all who contributed, next steps, and sponsor links. PDF version of Alignment Nashville roadmap. Commitment poster signed by participants. Contact list of invited agencies & organizations. Photographic memories from the event Access to printable summary files. FAQ from the event.