Health Priority 1: To improve the health of child-bearing women, their children, and families.

Strategy 1 Background and Intent: Improve birth weight

To decrease the rate of low birth weight babies. According to the 2003 Colfax County Health Profile compiled by the New Mexico Dept. of Health, our 2003 low birth rate was 11.7 compared to the State's rate of 8.0. Even when our teen birth rate lowered, our low birth weight rate continued. We recognized this rate as a priority from our beginning MCH Council in 2002 and moved forward with coordination around this problem. In collaboration with the Miners Colfax Medical Center , Family Practice Clinic, Raton Public Health, and various members of the MCH Council, we designed a questionnaire in an attempt to better ascertain the causes. The most common known causes of low birth weight are: teen pregnancy, smoking and/or secondhand smoke, periodontal disease, alcohol/drug abuse, being of Hispanic origin, little or no prenatal care, heredity/genetics, illness of the mother, and domestic abuse. Although the questionnaire addressed each of these risks, the returned answers gave no clarification. Upon asking the Obstetrics staff of their response to the answers, we discovered a disparity in what nurses and mothers reported. Having no clear answers to the specific causes here in Colfax County , we continue to educate/coordinate awareness around each of these risk factors. Providing education/information to acute care hospital and clinics that provide services to mothers and babies, as well as to the public at large through PSAs, flyers, and open meetings will be an ongoing activity. The Health Council Coordinator and the MCH Subcommittee (along with other community volunteers) will collaborate with WIC, Raton Public Health, and the local medical professionals to perform this activity on an on-going basis. At this time, getting the education to the stakeholders is the most effective strategy. If the funding and person power to have a centralized system of health care and referral ever happens in this rural setting, reduction of low birth weight could be viable.

Strategy 2 Background and intent: Increase number of mothers going thru WIC who initiate and maintain breastfeeding for up to 9 months. Supporting breastfeeding as a priority came together through the combined efforts of Raton Public Health, Family Practice & Associates, our local WIC Program and various other members of the (MCH) Health Council. Because of the many health benefits of breastfeeding and the risks that may occur in its absence, this continues to be a priority for our Council. Some of our other health priorities are impacted by the absence of infant breastfeeding. Obesity, developmental disabilities, poor nutrition, as well as behavioral and psychological can be direct results of inadequate or no breastfeeding. Health Council Coordinator/s, WIC, Miners Colfax Medical Center , and pediatric professionals will collaborate to educate and inform mothers of the advantages of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding through the child's ninth month and h elp sponsor support group efforts and offer awards on an on-going basis. Support groups and consistent education have been shown to be effective in this priority.

Strategy 3 Background and intent: Improve rate of children birth to 35 months receiving immunizations.

Immunization rates are low throughout New Mexico and this health issue is a concern of Governor and Mrs. Richardson. Locally, our Public Health workers and family clinic professionals believe that Colfax County is at 80% to 90% success in immunizing our children. Some families have waived this service for religious reasons but for the most part, by the time a child enters school, they are fully immunized. There is some anecdotal evidence, however, that babies birth to 3 years are not done in a timely and consistent manner. Because these first 3 years are so vital to lifetime health readiness, we've focused in this area. There is also anecdotal observation that undocumented Mexican Nationals may not access this health care. The Health Council Coordinator, in collaboration with Miners Colfax Medical Center , Raton Public Health, and community medical professions will continue to p rovide education/information in English & Spanish throughout the county on an on-going basis to better ensure that timely immunizations are accessed.

Strategy 4 Background and intent: Reduction of teen pregnancy by 5%. In 2000, Colfax County ranked 3 rd in the State for teenage pregnancy. Teen Pregnancy is a statewide/nationwide health issue. Years 2003 and 2004 showed a reduction in Colfax County 's rates by 5% and we were recognized by Governor Richardson and the NM Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition. Though not yet published, our rates in 2005 have risen again. Even before funding was received in 2002, the CCCACHC was working on reducing teen pregnancy through the efforts of the Raton Public Health Office, the Raton Superintendent of Schools, the Service Organization for Youth, and many community members. When funding, and therefore coordination, was brought in, these groups were better able to interact and collaborate. They continue to do so, knowing that collaboration is essential for comprehensive education and services for our teens. Births to teen mothers has been cited as causing personal barriers to success (stress, low self-esteem, isolation, and inadequate parenting competence); economic depression; higher infant mortality rates; low birth weight; and creating greater risk to children for developmental, social, emotional, and physical impairments. Colfax County wants the best for both mother and child and with this in mind, we continue to strive in helping teens form better choices for their lives.