The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Polk to announce Moms with Monitors.
As part of the department’s Polk Health Equity Plan, Moms with Monitors provides free blood-pressure monitors and education to pregnant and post-partum clients, the agency said in a news release.
Since the launch of Moms with Monitors in December, the agency has provided nine blood pressure monitors to pregnant and post-partum clients, the release said. Moms with Monitors is part of the department’s efforts to reduce disparities in infant mortality, poor maternal health outcomes and chronic disease rates in Polk County.
Black infants in Polk are more likely to die before their first birthday than white infants, and Black women are more likely to experience delivery complications than white women, the release said. In addition, Black and Hispanic populations are at increased risk for uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes.
For DOH-Polk clients who are pregnant or post-partum, more information is available at 863-519-7900.