Public Health Snapshot: Hardin County, TN
The Data Narrative: Maternal Vulnerability and Care Access
The Hardin County Context:
With a high Maternal Vulnerability Index score of 91.7 out of 100, families in Hardin County contend with clear systemic health equity challenges. While a base of 3 obstetric care providers is physically present locally, the region's public health indicators—highlighted by an infant mortality rate of 11 per 1,000, a preterm birth rate of 8.9%, and a teen birth rate of 23.0 per 1,000—signal that barriers to timely, preventative health tracking persist.
Environmental variables similarly affect early childhood spaces. Health screening data reveals that 2.6% of young children (ages 0-3) show elevated blood lead levels, pointing to an underlying need for targeted structural diagnostics and community remediation programs.
With a high Maternal Vulnerability Index score of 91.7 out of 100, families in Hardin County contend with clear systemic health equity challenges. While a base of 3 obstetric care providers is physically present locally, the region's public health indicators—highlighted by an infant mortality rate of 11 per 1,000, a preterm birth rate of 8.9%, and a teen birth rate of 23.0 per 1,000—signal that barriers to timely, preventative health tracking persist.
Environmental variables similarly affect early childhood spaces. Health screening data reveals that 2.6% of young children (ages 0-3) show elevated blood lead levels, pointing to an underlying need for targeted structural diagnostics and community remediation programs.
Maternal and Child Health Engagement
A look at key maternal and child health indicators. Hover over cards for definitions or use the filters below to explore specific areas of health.
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Infant Mortality Rate
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Preterm Births
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Low Birth Weight
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Severe Maternal Morbidity
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Adequate Prenatal Care
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Maternal Vulnerability Index
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Obstetric Care Providers
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Teen Birth Rate
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Breastfeeding at Discharge
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Elevated BLL (Ages 0-3)
Recommended Policy Actions
Based on systemic needs, these actions prioritize closing the distance between patients and providers, lifting local health baselines closer to targets. Click to expand each item:
Community Engagement Community-led Solutions
Work with local communities and local partners to understand and learn about county-specific needs.
Home Visiting Home Visiting Program
Leverage the state's Home Visiting Program to bypass local provider shortages, bringing public health nurses directly to new mothers to improve prenatal and postpartum health.
Prevention Mobile Lead Screening Clinics
Deploy mobile health units to close the screening gaps completely, bringing baseline lead testing closer to state screening averages and tracking invisible hazards.
Driving Policy Change Advocacy
Sustainable improvement requires a supportive policy environment that prioritizes student and youth health.