Some communities in Virginia have high percentages of low birth weights, late term miscarriages, infant deaths, and births to teenage mothers. They occur in places suffering with high rates of poverty, unemployment, crime, and use of illegal substances. Many of these communities also have large numbers of African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by infant mortality and poor perinatal outcomes. Pregnant women in these areas are often unable to see doctors because they don't have insurance or enough insurance.
The Virginia Healthy Start Initiative Loving Steps is combating these difficult, intertwined problems to reduce infant mortality in these urban and rural areas:
Loving Steps is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Health, and the Regional Perinatal Councils. It strengthens and expands existing initiatives by the Virginia Department of Health.
Loving Steps
Contact us at lovingsteps@vdh.virginia.gov
109 Governor St. 8th Floor, West
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 864-7764 •
FAX: (804) 864-7771
