West Virginia Perinatal Partnership

News and Events

CENTRAL ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
The Central Advisory Council of the Partnership met June 5th at Coonskin Park Clubhouse in Charleston.  The meeting was packed with information.  The presentations were excellent, and the discussions were stimulating.  Our challenges are great.  Meeting agenda and presentations

DRS. GRAEBER AND NERHOOD HONORED

Dr. Janet Graeber and Dr. Robert Nerhood were honored for their extra-ordinary commitment to working in partnership and their work in perinatal health. Both were recognized at the luncheon of the Central Advisory Council with a Blenko Glass original and with a framed certificate proclaiming them Distinguished Mountaineers, signed by W. Va. Governor Joe Manchin.  A brochure (PDF) pays tribute to two exemplary professional individuals who have helped us achieve a partnership that really works!  

SUPPORTING MOMS IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS
 
The West Virginia Breastfeeding Alliance plans to recognize worksites that are supportive of mothers in the workplace. The group will honor award recipients in August during World Breastfeeding Month, during a proclamation from Governor Joe Manchin, III. WVBA is seeking nominations of companies that encourage their employees’ choice to breastfeed and that provide the means necessary to help them achieve these goals. Read More  

NEW STUDY RELEASED ON LATE PRE-TERM BIRTHS

The W. Va. Division of Health and Human Resources Health Statistics Center has released a new study on Late Preterm Births 1993-2007.  The study reports that the rates of C-section among women with no medical risk factors increased 34.9% (4.3% to 5.8%) between 1993 and 1997 and 2003 and 2007, compared with a smaller increase of 13.0% (10.0% to 11.3%) among women with at least one medical risk factor.  Read the report.

WV SELF-SUFFICIENCY STANDARD - UPDATED 2009

A new tool tells how much money a West Virginia family needs to sustain itself without public or private assistance. The federal poverty measure is no longer accurate because it has not changed with changes in the definition of a family, and family survival needs in the twenty-first century, compared to family necessities in 1960 when the federal measure was first implemented, have changed drastically. In addition, the federal poverty measure does not take into account differing regional costs of living.  Find the standard for a West Virginia family of any size by county of residence.

Mission

Blueprint to Improve Perinatal Health

In 2006, thirty-three organizations partnered to uncover reasons for declining healthy birth outcomes in West Virginia and find solutions.  Over 200 perinatal professionals participated in a Key Informant Survey and 90 contributed in drafting the results of that study and recommendations: Blueprint to Improve West Virginia Perinatal Health (2006).  Then after a year's worth of focused effort, the Partnership reported on progress implementing the Blueprint and published Reports on the Blueprint to Improve West Virginia Perinatal Health (2007).

West Virginia health care professionals voiced a strong desire to participate in the process to improve perinatal care.  They indicated that although many elements of a cohesive system are present in the State, we must move towards a statewide system rather than a fractured regional approach. We need to utilize new methods of communication, provide better support for medical professionals in rural areas, better utilize our intellectual resources, and more fully implement parent support and education programs.  The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership was born of these desires.