Virginia's focus on thriving infants delivers results

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RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - The start of November brings national recognition to the Commonwealth for its strides in ensuring babies in Virginia get a healthy start in life.

The Virginia Department of Health recently accepted honors from both the March of Dimes and Text4baby on behalf of the many partners throughout the state who help establish infant wellness.

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The March of Dimes Virginia Chapter presented VDH with the Virginia Apgar award November 5.

Officials say this award recognizes states and territories that accepted and met the challenge from the March of Dimes to lower their preterm birth rate by 8 percent between 2009 and 2014. The award is named in honor of Virginia Apgar, MD, who developed the five-point APGAR score to evaluate an infant's health at birth.

The Commonwealth was also recognized for its outstanding achievements in the 2015 Annual Text4baby State Enrollment Contest. Virginia earned first place in the Large State group, enrolling 25 per 1,000 estimated new pregnant women and moms into the service. During the contest period, 2,213 new users enrolled in the Text4baby service in Virginia.

Officials say Text4baby is the nation's largest and only free mobile health service promoting maternal and child health for pregnant women and mothers with infants under one year old, through text messaging and a mobile app.