The report, released this week by the Michigan League for Public Policy's Kids Count in Michigan project, ranks the state’s 54 Great Start Collaboratives, or GSCs, on eight maternal and infant health measures. Livingston GSC is No. 1, or best, while Genesee and Wayne GSCs tied for last.

Statewide, the largest increase in risk was in more births to unmarried women, rising from 36 percent of all births to 42 percent, an 18 percent jump.

“High unemployment, particularly among men, has been cited as a major reason to delay or reject marriage,’’ said Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Kids Count in Michigan Project director. “Unfortunately, children born to single mothers are much more likely to face economic hardships and insecurity. Policies that grow opportunities for low-income workers will help.’’

The most positive change was a 9 percent improvement in repeat teen births, to teen moms who already had a child, showing that public policy can make a difference. Michigan’s teen birth rate has been halved since 1990 as the result of a sustained public health and education campaign.

Of the eight indicators, five could be tracked over time, generally from 2005 to 2011. Staying about the same were teen births (9.4 percent of all births), preterm births (10.6 percent of all births) and low-birthweight babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds (8.4 percent of all births).

"We know, through science and research, what strategies work to improve birth outcomes and help infants survive and thrive but we must prioritize and invest in them," MCMCH Executive Director Amy Zaagman said. "Access to prenatal care, parent education resources, and home visiting all make a substantial difference in the areas highlighted in the report. We must return to valuing prevention such as health education and pregnancy prevention if we hope to see better results for women and children."

The report calls on policymakers to:

• Accept federal funds to expand the eligibility of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which will increase access to health services for the most economically disadvantaged women in Michigan, who are at higher risk on several Right Start factors.
• Decrease the pay equity gap in Michigan to help female-headed households. The increase in births to single women makes the issue more imperative to the well-being of children.
• Increase job training opportunities for high school graduates to build skills necessary to earn family-sustaining wages.

You can read the full report here.

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