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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Appearance matters, even for government buildings ... Head and boulders above the rest ... J'ville planner at 'flash point' turns in resignation ... Our View: Appearance matters, even for government buildings ... Head and boulders above the rest ... J'ville planner at 'flash point' turns in resignation ... Health Care Coalition gets $3.5 million grant Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Backed by a $3.5 million federal grant, the Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon will do its part to reduce the infant mortality rate in rural parts of Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties. The organization was one of 87 to be awarded a Healthy Start grant earlier this month. The grant will be administered over the next five years — $532,000 the first year and $750,000 for the next four years — and account for about 75 percent of the organization’s total funding. Maggie Sullivan, executive director of the coalition, said this is the fourth time it has been awarded the grant. The infant mortality rate is typically higher among poor women, women living in rural communities and women of color, Sullivan said. There are 14.84 deaths per 1,000 infants born in 12 rural ZIP codes in Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties, Sullivan said. “That comes out to about 26 infant deaths over a three-year time span in those regions,” she said. Healthy Start staff work to identify at-risk women — preconception if possible — and link them with community health services. Risk factors include smoking, substance abuse, mental health challenges, domestic violence, adverse childhood experiences and poor nutrition, to name a few. “Really, we are trying to improve the birth rate, improve early prenatal care, prevent birth to adolescents and facilitate access to health and social services for women and families living in the rural areas of Southern Oregon,” Sullivan said. The local Healthy Start program serves about 500 women a year, helping them enroll in health insurance, linking them to a medical home, providing case management and parent education, promoting father involvement and ensuring health education in the areas of breast feeding, substance abuse, nutrition, family planning and depression. Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt.   By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501