County To Tout Health Care Today

BROOKSVILLE - Red will be the color of choice for county commissioners today as they pass a resolution promoting the importance of women's health.

The American Heart Association has proclaimed February "Go Red for Women" month to increase awareness about heart disease and stroke among women.

And contrary to public opinion, heart disease is not exclusively a men's problem anymore. According to the resolution, 53 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths occur in females, compared to 47 percent in men. Also, about 32,800 more females than males die each year from strokes.

In a related resolution, commissioners will congratulate the Hernando County Health Department and its Healthy Start Program for their efforts in encouraging pregnant women to seek prenatal care. In 2006, more than 86 percent of pregnant women in Hernando County received prenatal care during their first trimester.

During that same year, Healthy Start provided more than 15,000 services to 816 pregnant women and 589 infants, according to the resolution.

Despite these accomplishments, 11 county infants died in 2006 during their first year of life; 229 pregnant admitted they smoked during pregnancy; and 121 infants were born with low birth weight - all resulting in an estimated $2.9 million additional health care cost to the community.

The resolution also states that there were 53 births to teens age 15-17 in Hernando County in 2006.

The heath care resolutions will be passed at the beginning of today's county commission meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.