Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113341

Gwen Kressler, MPH and Carol M. Brady, BS, MA. Jacksonville Friendly AccessSM Initiative, Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216, 904-279-0885 ext 139, Gkressler@nefhsc.org

Jacksonville/Duval County, Florida has one of the state's highest infant mortality rates. In 2003 the county had an infant mortality rate of 9.8 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to a state rate of 7.1 deaths per 1,000 births. While investigating selected deaths in Duval County, FIMR (Fetal and Infant Mortality Review) found that more than one-third of the deaths between 1996 and 1999 occurred with mothers who had late or no prenatal care. Further investigation found differences in cases reviewed by race. Seeking to better understand and address this issue, the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition and key community partners applied and was selected as a site for implementation of the National Friendly AccessSM Initiative. A study was conducted in which data was collected from one-on-one interviews with mothers who gave birth within the past two days and parents of children seeking pediatric care. Additionally, five focus groups were conducted with women belonging to a demographic group identified as being most at-risk for receiving an inadequate number of prenatal visits. Through this research, four main barriers to accessing care were identified: lack of knowledge on how to access Medicaid; long wait times to see providers; inadequate care coordination with primary provider and other healthcare providers; and poor patient-provider relationships. In an effort to overcome these barriers, the Jacksonville Friendly AccessSM Initiative developed four community-based subcommittees to develop specific strategies. Over the past year, these committees have met and implemented initiatives to reduce the four main barriers to accessing care.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify barriers to accessing prenatal care for an at-risk population.
• Prioritize barriers to accessing prenatal care for an at-risk population.
• Construct a community-based committee focused on overcoming barriers to accessing prenatal care.
• Develop strategies geared towards reducing barriers to accessing prenatal care for an at-risk population.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.