| WHY? |
|
The
overall low birth weight rate (LBW) in Kane
County, at 7.2%, is over 40% higher than the
national goal of 5.5% presented in Healthy
People 2010. First trimester entry into
prenatal care is lower than Illinois or the US.
Teen births remain higher in Aurora than in
Illinois or the US.
African American infant mortality is three times
the white rate and teen births are 1/3 higher.
The 2002 LBW in Kane for African Americans, at
14.2%, is more than double that of Hispanics and
the White population.
The Kane County
Health Department, in 2005, began working on a
county-wide needs assessment called the IPLAN
– short for Illinois Plan for Local
Assessment of Need. That assessment was
completed in 2006 through the active
participation of many community members and
leaders. Disparities in maternal and child
health emerged as one of the top five priorities
of the IPLAN Infant mortality among African
American babies proved to be the highest
concern.
Based in large measure on this IPLAN assessment,
and in response to the Health Department’s
request, Alderwoman Sheketa Hart-Burns in Aurora
and Councilwoman Brenda Rogers in Elgin convened
a Circle of Wise Women to plan a coordinated
approach to improving the health and survival of
African American infants in Kane County.
|
|
ACTIONS? |
|
The Circles of Wise Women took the time to study
the data and the issues that surround infant
mortality and illness. They also spent time
reviewing actions other communities have taken
to improve health and wellness for African
American infants. Now the Circles are taking
action that helps other women learn about the
issue and take whatever preventive measures are
possible. The very first action of the Circles
was a poster campaign to help prevent premature
births—the leading cause of infant deaths. |
For additional information about the Circles of
Wise Women, contact the Kane County Health
Department at
(630)232-5926
|
|
| ISSUES? |
|
Among the specific issues
affecting African American health and survival are low
birth weight, preterm labor (before 37 weeks),
prematurity, small size for gestational age, infection,
stress, and poor prenatal weight gain. Higher rates of
infant mortality persist across all ages, income levels,
and educational levels of African American women. |
| WHERE? |
|
There are two circles in Kane County:
the Aurora Circle of Wise Women
and the Elgin Circle of Wise
Women. They meet monthly.
Aurora Circle of Wise Women
meet the third Monday of the month at 2:30 PM at Root
Street Center, 501 College Avenue, Room 200, Aurora.
Elgin Circle of
Wise Women meet
the second Tuesday of the month. They alternate day and
night meetings. Night Meetings are held in January,
March, May, July, September, November from 6:30 - 8 PM
in the North Community Room of the Elgin Police
Department, 151 Douglas Ave., Elgin. Day Meetings
are held in December, February, April, June, August,
October, and December from 1:30 - 3 PM at the Kane
County Health Dept., 107 S. Grove St., Elgin
For more information please call:
(630)232-5926.
|
| WHO? |
|
The Circles of Wise Women
are open to any African American women who want to help
end the disparities in health and survival for African
American women and infants. The Circles plan to call on
other community partners to assist them in carrying out
plans that are tailored to meet the needs of African
American women of childbearing age. |
| COST? |
|
Many of the action plans
will cost money and the Circles of Wise Women plan to
seek support through community partners, grant funds,
and sponsorships for various health events and messages. |
| Materials |
Brochure
Prematurity
Prevention Poster |
|
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved
