Healthy Moms & Babies

The group’s priority areas include breastfeeding and reducing the overall infant mortality rate.

Community Champions

Ardelle Bush, Healthy Start Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties

Crystal Harrison, Homelessness and Housing Alliance

Goals, Objectives and Strategies

Goal 1: To reduce the infant mortality rate.

• Objective: By December 31, 2027, reduce the overall infant mortality rate from 5.1 per 1,000 live births to 4.2 per 1,000 live births.

  • Promote best practices in prenatal, infant, and maternal care in Okaloosa County.

  • Distribute Recipe for aHealthy Baby materials to key audiences.

  • Promote comprehensive breastfeeding policies through the Health  Okaloosa Worksites program and Florida Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Award.

  • Promote best practices in prenatal, infant, and maternal care.

  • Educate the community about maternal advocacy.

  • Improve awareness of the risks of smoking while pregnant and promote local cessation resources.