Receiving early and regular care throughout pregnancy is incredibly important for both mother and baby, as preterm birth and low birth weight put babies at an increased risk of developing cognitive, emotional, and physical health issues. Babies weighing above 5.5 pounds at birth are considered to be “born healthy.”

Across Michigan, about 8.5% of babies are born underweight (CDC), and communities of color are disproportionally impacted with rates for black and Latinx moms at a six-year high. Recognizing the need to create paths to overcoming the social determinants of health, local programs are supporting moms to improve these outcomes for babies.

Courtney Hilbert, CNM, MSN, Director of APP Services for Women’s Health and Chair of the Centering Pregnancy Program at Spectrum Health, and Kiara Baskin, Founder and CEO of Bump to Birth Doula Services are here to discuss. For more information, visit: https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/womens-health/midwifery, https://www.bumptobirthdoulaservices.com/ , or https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/womens-health.

https://www.wgvunews.org/post/leaps-bounds-prenatal-care-social-determinants-low-birth-weight

Grand Rapids HQ is a drop-in center for homeless and at-risk youth that opened its doors at the end of 2014.

It doesn’t have beds, but staff there can help the homeless aged 14-24 get beds at other support facilities around town, including 3:11 Youth Housing, one of its partners in a new, three-year initiative called the Comprehensive Health Initiative. When HQ opened, there was just one facility with two beds for homeless youth. Today, thanks in part to HQ’s fundraising and partnerships, there are a total of 50 beds at various facilities around town, including the Bridge of Arbor Circle and Covenant House. Read more

An insurance company has donated $75,000 to Health Net of West Michigan in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month. According to the Grand Rapids Business Journal, Delta Dental of Michigan donated the grant to increase awareness of and access to dental services for individuals with Healthy Kids Dental coverage. Read more… 

Five nonprofit organizations have collaborated to provide wraparound health and wellness services for homeless youth.

The Comprehensive Health Initiative is providing services to 400 youth, giving them connections to health care insurance, primary care providers, wellness coping strategies and crisis support therapy.

Learn more…