The Every Woman Southeast Initiative was started with the goal of developing a multi-state, multi-level partnership to share and develop expertise on preconception / interconception health care, policies, research, programs, social marketing, and evaluation in order to improve the health of women and infants in our region of the United States.

The Southeastern Region of the United States (Department of Health and Human Services Region IV) including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, historically has had high rates of infant mortality and morbidity, chronic disease, sexually transmitted infections, obesity, unplanned pregnancy, and poverty.  Minority women in the South, particularly African American women, suffer disproportionately from these conditions. Over the years, progress has been made, yet the South continues to lag behind the nation in the health and well-being of its women and children. Data analysis and scientific study have demonstrated that additional progress in infant mortality and morbidity prevention demands an expanded approach to include women’s health before, during and after pregnancy. This paradigm shift puts preventive health for woman of childbearing age in the forefront.

Every Woman Southeast is not only interested in helping women only to improve birth outcomes.  We aspire to improving the wellness of all women of reproductive age in recognition of the fact that healthy women are the foundation of a healthy family, community and region. We know that investing in the health of young women will reap many rewards – for women, their families and our shared future.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our efforts. We invite you to join us in our collective journey.