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Indicator 4: |
Healthy birthweight babies |
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Trend |
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vs. Georgia |
The percentage of babies born in Chatham County whose birth weight is greater than 2500 grams, or equivalently, 5.5 pounds. The data are provided by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
Why is it important?
Babies born with low birth weight face increased risk for infant mortality. Additionally, low birth weight has been linked to higher frequencies of long-term disabilities and delayed or impaired motor and social development. It is a predictor of future medical needs. Common factors that cause low birth weight are smoking during pregnancy, low maternal weight or low pre-pregnancy weight.
How are we doing?
The percentage of babies born in Chatham County with a healthy weight increased to 90.3% in 2009 from 88.9% in 2008. Since 2000, the state rate declined from 91.4% in 2000 to 90.5% while the county rate increased slightly from 90.2% to 90.3%. For the county, the healthy birth weight rate in 2009 exceeded every rate recorded since 2000.
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PERCENTAGE OF BABIES BORN WITH A HEALTHY BIRTH WEIGHT Source: Georgia Department of Community Health .jpeg) |
| Year |
Chatham County |
Georgia |
| 2000 | 90.2% | 91.4% |
| 2001 | 89.3% | 91.2% |
| 2002 | 89.3% | 91.0% |
| 2003 | 89.6% | 91.0% |
| 2004 | 88.8% | 90.7% |
| 2005 | 89.3% | 90.5% |
| 2006 | 88.9% | 90.4% |
| 2007 | 90.1% | 90.5% |
| 2008 | 88.9% | 90.4% |
| 2009 | 90.3% | 90.5% |
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