Healthy African American women are the key to healthy African American families. African American women are at higher risk for health issues at every stage of life than white women. Low birth weight and infant mortality are twice as likely to occur in African American populations as in white populations. But leaning more and doing more about health issues is the key to improving African American health. Use the links below to learn more:
If You Are Pregnant, May Become Pregnant, or Have a New Born, Did You Know That
- Pregnant? No Insurance? Apply for Prenatal Medicaid. Check on tips for applying for Prenatal Medicaid.
- Are you a female (Age 14 - 55) who has lost your Medicaid? Apply for the Expanded Faimly Planning Waiver Insurance available beginning in March, 2007.
- Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects in newborns. Having a healthy baby means making sure you're healthy too. One of the most important things you can do to help prevent serious birth defects in your baby is to get enough folic acid every day - especially before conception and during early pregnancy. Repeated studies have shown that women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%.Click here for more information.
- Birth defects caused by poor nutrition occur during the first 28 days of pregnancy - usually before a woman even knows she's pregnant. Only 50% of pregnancies are planned. Any woman who could become pregnant should make sure she's eating a healthy diet and getting enough folic acid. Click here for more information.
- Obesity during pregnancy causes increased health risks for both moms and their babies. Obesity during pregnancy causes higher risks of: birth defects, hypertension, gestational diabetes and blood clots. Click here for more information.
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Smoking during pregnancy is the single most preventable cause of illness and death among mothers and infants. It is associated with increased risks for pre-term premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae, and placenta previa, and with a modest increase in risk for pre-term delivery. Infants born to women who smoke during pregnancy have a lower average birth weight and are more likely to be small for gestational age than are infants born to women who do not smoke. Click here to learn more.
- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Each year, more than 40,000 babies are born with some degree of alcohol related damage. Click here to learn more.
- Illicit drug use during pregnancy increases the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality. Click here to learn more.
- If you are pregnant and don't have health insurance, you can apply for a special medicaid to cover your prenatal visits and delivery. If you want to see a doctor at the Health Department right away, click here to see phone numbers for the Health Department's Women's Centers. The Health Department will put you on Temporary Medicaid (MU)so that you can see one of their doctors. They will do a pregnancy test and help you fill out an application for prenatal Medicaid. They will forward your pregnancy test and application to the Department of Children and Families. The Department of Children and Families will send you a letter requesting that you provide further information to complete the Prenatal Medicaid application. Once the application is completed, the Department of Children and Families will change your status from Temporary Medicaid (MU) to Prenatal Medicaid (MMP). Then you will be able to see a private doctor for your prenatal visits. Click here for the phone number for the Department of Children and Families.
- If you are pregnant, you can ask your doctor to give you a Healthy Start Prenatal screen at your next prenatal visit. Consenting to the screen may provide you with additional services that will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Screen information also provides community data that enables Healthy Start to pursue funding for additional community services for pregnant women and their families.
- If you are pregnant, get tested for HIV/Aids. Click here to learn more.
- When your baby is born, you can ask the hospital or your midwife to do a Healthy Start Postnatal screen on your baby. Consenting to the screen may provide you with referrals to other services and information that you or your baby may need. Screen information also provides community data that enables Healthy Start to pursue funding for additional community services for pregnant women and their families.
- If you have a new born, click here to learn more about the causes of infant death.
General Health Information for African American Women of All Ages
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