Analysis of Feto and Infant Mortality Rates Throughout Three Counties in Georgia Using the BABIES Matrix
Location: Georgia, U.S.A.
Alumni: Molly Young
Faculty: Brian McCarthy
In the 1960s, Georgia began to reform the health care surveillance system in response to being placed on the country’s top ten list of states with the highest infant mortality. The new surveillance system, called BABIES. BABIES was used to analyze three Georgia counties surrounding the capital, Atlanta. The population of Clayton, Fulton and DeKalb County were reviewed in two aggregated five-year periods (2003-2007 and 2008-2012). The focus was on analyzing mortality indicators to evaluate Babies Can’t Wait and the Healthier Generations Program. Babies Can’t Wait operates at the state level and provides high-risk infant follow-up programs. The Healthier Generations Program operates in Clayton County and targets high-risk pregnancies, interconceptual case load, and high-risk infant follow-up. All products of conception were accounted for, as well as racial disparities pertaining to the geographic location in question. The population analyzed were White non-Hispanic (WNH), Black non-Hispanic (BNH), Hispanic, and unknown/other women. These populations were further broken up into age groups (<20 years of age (YOA), 20-34 YOA, and 35+ YOA). The highest very very low birthweight rates (<1000 grams) were experienced by BNH women, especially in Clayton County. Furthermore, the population of women 35+ YOA overall is a target to reduce the high-risk load in this region. Overall, maternal health and care improved during this ten year span while care during delivery is indicated as a future target for intervention.