Public Health Snapshot: Worth County, GA
The Data Narrative: Maternal Vulnerability and Care Access
The Worth County Context:
While Worth County maintains an inadequate prenatal care rate of 15.2%, the community faces significant systemic challenges, reflected in an alarmingly high Maternal Vulnerability Index score of 97.1 out of 100. With "Low" maternity care access and a teen birth rate of 29 per 1,000, local families face compounded barriers to optimal health outcomes that require targeted workforce development and mobile solutions.
Furthermore, environmental health tracking presents a critical gap. Currently, 0 children (ages 0-6) have been tested for elevated blood lead levels, leaving the community without crucial data to identify and remediate invisible environmental hazards that impact early childhood development.
While Worth County maintains an inadequate prenatal care rate of 15.2%, the community faces significant systemic challenges, reflected in an alarmingly high Maternal Vulnerability Index score of 97.1 out of 100. With "Low" maternity care access and a teen birth rate of 29 per 1,000, local families face compounded barriers to optimal health outcomes that require targeted workforce development and mobile solutions.
Furthermore, environmental health tracking presents a critical gap. Currently, 0 children (ages 0-6) have been tested for elevated blood lead levels, leaving the community without crucial data to identify and remediate invisible environmental hazards that impact early childhood development.
Maternal and Child Health Engagement
A look at key maternal and child health indicators in the county.
7.8
Infant Mortality Rate
14.2%
Preterm Births
12%
Low Birth Weight
90
Surgo Health Reproductive Healthcare Index (Family Planning Access, Repro Services, Skilled Attendants)
15.2%
Inadequate Prenatal Care
97.1
Surgo Health Maternal Vulnerability Index Score
Low
Maternity Care Access
TBD
# of Doulas
29
Teen Birth Rate
54.2%
Breastfeeding at Discharge
162 of 1362
Lead Screening (GA State: 71.8% Screened)
Recommended Policy Actions
Based on the maternal and child health data for Worth County, the following strategic interventions are recommended to improve community outcomes:
Community Engagement
Community-led Solutions
Work with local communities and local partners to understand and learn about county-specific needs.
Home Visiting
DPH Home Visiting Program
Leverage the state's DPH 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 the state's 71.8% screening average.
Driving Policy Change
Advocacy
Sustainable improvement requires a supportive policy environment that prioritizes student health.