September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month (NIMAM), a month to highlight the continued need to address the critical challenges impacting women's mental and physical health. 

Physicians CareConnection (PCC) has played a key role in reducing infant mortality rates by integrating maternal health resources and providing comprehensive support to pregnant women through the PCC Center for Optimal Care. 

PCC have focused on African American women, who face disproportionately high maternal and infant health risks, with a wholistic approach that includes culturally competent care coordination, high performing partnerships, and community-driven initiatives to remove barriers to essential healthcare services.

Key achievements in 2024 include: 

• Prenatal Care: PCC scheduled 363 prenatal appointments for pregnant women, ensuring timely care through partnerships with hospitals and providers. 
• Healthy Pregnancy Outcomes: 40 births, 29 (73%) were full term and 36 (90%) were healthy birth weight.
• Transportation Assistance: 738 one-way trips enabled women to attend critical medical appointments. 
• Housing Supports: Rent and utility payments for 60 vulnerable pregnant mothers alleviated stress during maternity leave, allowing for recovery and workforce reintegration. 
• Substance Use Treatment: PCC connected 26 women with treatment and recovery services, addressing substance use challenges.

Dedicated volunteers are vital to PCC’s life-saving work, and more health care providers are needed. We are seeking primary care provider volunteers to help us meet the growing demand for comprehensive healthcare services and ensure that more people in our community have access to the care they need and deserve.

To learn more:

• PCC website
• Volunteer information