Established in 1977, the South Carolina Perinatal Association strives to improve the health of pregnant women, infants and children through educational activities and collaboration and advocacy with public policy makers. SCPA has a long history of successful partnerships with many organizations on the local, state and national levels that have resulted in positive improvements for women and children in our state.

 South Carolina faces numerous challenges in assuring all children receive a healthy start in life.  However, many of the obstacles faced by the 53,000 infants born each year in SC can be minimized or prevented. SCPA is committed to identifying opportunities for improving perinatal health in SC and providing leadership to educate providers and influence decision makers.

Here are some South Carolina statistics to consider:

 

• Over 60% of pregnant women live at less than 185% of poverty.

 

• 44% of live births result from unintended pregnancies.

 

• In 2002, the Infant Mortality rate was 9.3 with black & other infants more than

      2 ½ times likely to die than white infants.

 

• Leading causes of infant death are short gestation and low birthweight, congenital anomalies, maternal complications and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

 

• Almost 30% of women received less than adequate prenatal care in 2001.

 

• Between 1990 and 2000 the rate of infants born preterm in SC increased more than 10%.

 

 

We can change these statistics and provide all children with a healthy start in life!  Please join SCPA in our efforts to make a difference.

 

 

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