The Need

In a four county region perceived as affluent, and well on its way to reaching Healthy People 2010 perinatal goals, racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal health exist, even rivaling New York City. All 4 counties demonstrate significant racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal outcomes, reinforcing the fallacy that these are wealthy counties without issues. To eliminate these disparities, there is a need for improved health care for women and children within Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties.

In 2004, to create the LHVPN, the Regional Perinatal Center (RPC) at Westchester Medical Center was awarded a March of Dimes Chapter Community Service Grant to create the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network. In 2010 the LHVPN became a program of the Children's Health and Research Foundation, Inc.

Goals

• To provide education and support systems to all women of childbearing age and their families, particularly those at high-risk

Objectives

• Increase rates of early entry into prenatal care
• Decrease incidence of preterm births
• Decrease incidence of low birth weight babies
• Increase healthy behaviors (e.g. nutrition, breastfeeding)
• Reduce barriers to care (e.g. insurance enrollment, language)