Prenatal Care, Low Birthweight, Prematurity: How is CA Faring?
This July, two laws take effect in California requiring individual and small group health plans to provide coverage for maternity services, including prenatal care. This mandate could positively influence the overall health of children. Prenatal care greatly reduces the risk of infant mortality. Timely prenatal care also lowers the risk of premature birth and lower birthweight, both of which can leave babies at increased danger for long-term disabilities.
How is the state faring on these critical measures of infant health? As California approaches the enactment of these laws, newly posted data on kidsdata.org provide insight. See this kidsdata.org slideshow for details >>
Prenatal Care
About 83% of California infants had mothers who received prenatal care in the first trimester, according to 2009 data, but percentages vary greatly across the state.
Low Birthweight
In 2009, about 7% of California infants were born at low birthweight (about 5 lbs, 5 oz or less), a percentage that has edged up slightly since 1999.
Premature Birth
About 10% of infants in California are born prematurely (less than 37 weeks of gestation).
Tell Your Friends and Colleagues
Those who work to improve the health and well being of children often require assistance in making their case. As a foundation devoted to bringing attention to key children's health issues, we want to make sharing up-to-date, reliable data as easy as possible. Please forward this announcement to your friends and colleagues who work on behalf of kids. |
Get the Data that Matter to You: Want to know when prenatal care, low birthweight, and other data are updated? Sign up for our customized e-mail alerts.
|
