PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

December 8, 2024

HELP FIRST INDIANA

Sandy Dundee gave the program for the Plymouth ROTARY Club on Monday, November 25.  Sandy is the administrator of the Marshall County Health Department.  Much of her presentation had to do with the State of Indiana Health Department initiative “Help First Indiana.”  Help First Indiana is an investment in preventives that will lead to healthier communities.  It covers several public health core service areas, such as maternal and child health, trauma and injury and lead exposure.  The program is concerned about life expectancy, adult obesity, infant mortality rate, opioid overdose rate, smoking, and suicide rate.

Of special concern for Sandy was the county’s infant mortality rate (IMR).  IMR is defined as the death of a baby before his or her first birth day per 1,000 live births.  Here is a sampling of the IMR for several counties in Indiana for 2017-2021: DeKalb (4.8), Elkhart (8.2), LaGrange (7.0), Marshall (8.0), Noble (7.9), Saint Joseph (8.4), and Steuben (5.0).  Some of the suggested ways to reduce IMR are improve overall health for women of child-bearing age, promote early and adequate prenatal care, decrease prenatal smoking and substance use, and increase breast feeding duration and exclusivity.

As Sandy was speaking my mind turned to Mary and the birth of Jesus.  Not only did Mary find herself separated from her natural support system, she had to endure a hard journey.  Who was with her at the manger to help with the delivery.  Jesus’ first year found the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, very likely using the gifts of the Magi to finance their journey.  What kind of support would she have found there?

That first Christmas Mary and Joseph were not entirely alone. Even though he could not offer Mary and Joseph a room, he did offer them the stable to provide shelter. Some of the women of his family may have been there to offer their help with the delivery. The shepherds came and offered the couple and new baby their support.  That first Christmas the Magi offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

As we approach Christmas “Help First Indiana” is a reminder of the Mary’s in our midst who find themselves under tremendous stress during their pregnancies and then raising their children.  There are many ways we can all offer our resources to provide help to reduce infant mortality rates as well as all the other concerns of “Help First Indiana.”  We can learn ways that we might get involved in making Indiana a healthier place to live.  This not only involves the IMR, but also life expectancy, adult obesity, opioid overdose, smoking, and suicide.

After Mary, Joseph, and Jesus escaped to Egypt, Herod killed all the children two years old and under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.  “Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more (Matthew 2:27-18).”  Let us remember this Christmas all the mothers who weep for their children as they struggle to give birth and care for their children.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)