Maternal Child Health (MCH) / Breastfeeding
What is Maternal and Child Health / Breastfeeding?
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is the health service provided to women of childbearing age, children, and adolescents. MCH programs focus on health issues, such as access to recommended prenatal and well-child care, infant and maternal mortality prevention, maternal and child mental health, newborn screening, child immunizations, child nutrition and breastfeeding, and services for children with special health care needs. States invest in healthy children and families to strengthen communities and avoid unnecessary health care costs.
Why is it an important regional focus?
Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can impact and improve health outcomes for families, communities, and the health care system. Over the last several years, Pivital provided funding for over 100 CLC's in our region. Some of the counties we serve have the highest rates of low birth weight, the highest percentage of premature births, receive late or no prenatal care, have low childhood immunization rates, and have a high prevalence of infant mortality. We have the opportunity to end preventable deaths among all women, children, and adolescents and to greatly improve their health and well-being. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system.
What role does Pivital play?
The Maternal and Child Health Regional workgroup, led by Pivital, consists of Local Health Departments, Hospitals, representatives from regional organizations that encounter and/or serve expectant parents, infants and/or young families, and local CLCs (Certified Lactation Consultants) and IBCLCs (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants). Pivital connects individuals to breastfeeding training by coordinating and providing funds for CLC and IBCLC certification and recertification. Pivital provided funding for 19 individuals to become CLCs in 2022.
Mission
Promote breastfeeding and overall health and well-being for families with young children, through collaboration, education, and support in the Finger Lakes.
Vision
Improve health and well-being for all families in the Finger Lakes.
To improve maternal and child health through:
- Using data to identify and inform strategies
- Increasing community awareness of the importance and availability of maternal child health services (prenatal care, delivery, post-partum, breastfeeding, primary and preventive child health and support services)
- Increasing referrals to maternal child health supportive services (WIC, Parenting Partners (Baby Cafes), etc.
- Advocating for local policy development that positively influences child health
- Developing strategies to address factors that contribute to poorer health outcomes in identified populations
