The March of Dimes Georgia Chapter and Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Georgia awarded the Lowndes County Board of Health with $50,000, to go towards its Baby Luv project, Tuesday.

Because Lowndes County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the state, the Board of Health created Project Baby Luv to increase awareness of the epidemic and reduce the number of deaths in the community.

According to March of Dimes Director of Program Services Gwen Houldsworth, the awareness of Lowndes County’s heightened number of infant mortality has increased in recent years; however, the deaths continue to increase as well, particularly among black infants.

Smith Northview Hospital Assistant Administrator of Support Services Chuck Roberts added that there are 23 infant deaths in Georgia each week.

With the funds awarded for the project, Baby Luv project coordinators plan to expand the research on infant mortality and do more community-involved programs.

Baby Luv is offered to pregnant black women with high-risk conditions. After applying for the perinatal case management program, expecting mothers are screened to determine if their pregnancies are high-risk and are referred for the program if they meet the criteria. The women then have the option to join Baby Luv.

The Baby Luv program consists of monthly home visits from registered nurses and monthly in-services to educate pregnant women on ways to improve birth outcomes.

The program also offers incentives to mothers who experience complications during their pregnancy, as well as rewards after babies are delivered. As of June 30, 225 women have been screened and referred for the Baby Luv program and 90 women have joined.

For more information about the Baby Luv program, visit www.southhealthdistrict.com.