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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Combats Infant Mortality with $1.6 Million in Grants Seven Northern Virginia Organizations Benefit from Initiative

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (January 29, 2010): CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has joined with seven local organizations in a $1.6 million campaign to combat infant mortality in northern Virginia through programs focused on eliminating social and economic disparities that hinder a mother's access to quality health care. 

"A major interest for our commitment in northern Virginia maternal and child health is helping to eliminate the social and economic disparities that hinder a mother's access to quality care," said Chet Burrell, CareFirst President and CEO.  "These partnerships will hopefully create sustainable health improvements for mothers and their infants, within their own communities, while serving as a model for other insurers to follow."

While the infant mortality rate in Virginia has declined over the years, in 2008, 6.7 infants out of every 1,000 died before age 1 – a rate slightly above the national average. Among African Americans who consistently have infant mortaility rates higher than the population in general, the rate 12.2 deaths per thousand in 2008.

"We view maternal and child health as a key indicator of a community's overall health," said Dr. Jon P. Shematek, CareFirst's Chief Medical Officer.  "We identified a significant opportunity to help the Northern Virginia community improve its rate of infant mortality and these seven programs target specific areas of need, contributing to healthier mothers and healthier babies."

The Northern Virginia effort is part of the organization's charitable giving program, CareFirst Commitment.  In the last year, CareFirst Commitment has increasingly focused on the pressing issue of maternal and child health throughout the region.  Programs being funded through CareFirst's Northern Virginia maternal and child health initiative include:

• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition – will implement a technology-based initative to reach about 5,000 English- and Spanish-speaking expecting mothers with information on topics critical to healthy pregnancies and infant care.  The program will connect mothers to health care services and resources available in their communities.  Grant amount:  $300,000. 
  
  
• Arlington Pediatric Center – will implement an Electronic Medical Records system, enhancing clinical care for 2,500 children and helping parents and doctors better work in concert for improved health outcomes. Grant amount: $75,000.  
  
  
• Northern Virginia Family Service's (NVSF) – will expand the organziation's Healthy Families Program, providing more women with support counseling and improved access to health care for high-risk African American women who are pregnant or parenting young children. Grant amount: $393,594.
  
  
• Inova Health System Foundation – will focus on reducing infant mortality among Hispanic women through a comprehensive community engagement program in Falls Church.  Community volunteers from the Hispanic Congregational Health Partnership and Inova Health Source will be recruited and trained to guide expecting mothers through perinatal care, the critical time shortly before and after birth.  Grant amount: $340,225. 
  
  
• Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services Inc. (ANHSI) – will establish a Prenatal Care Case Management program to reduce incidence of low-birth, treat depression associated with pregnancy and parenting, and address pediatric staffing shortages.  ANHSI focuses on prenatal care for low-income patients. Grant amount: $334,140. 
  
  
• Northern Virginia Urban League's (NOVAUL) – will reach out to 230 first-time pregnant and parenting mothers in Alexandria and Fairfax through the organiztion's Resource Mothers Program.  NOVAUL targets African American teenagers and disadvantaged adolescents, helping clients access prenatal care and teaching healthy parenting skills through on-site and in-home visits. Grant amount: $150,000.
  
  
• Sudden Infant Death Services (SIDS) – will provide new, portable infant cribs and education on how to promote safe infant sleeping for parents in northern Virginia.  Grant amount: $10,000. 

In its 74th year, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care organization which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.  Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

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