Healthy Start
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Healthy Start Initiative was established in 1991 by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Originally, 15 demonstration programs were funded for a five-year period; they included 13 urban and 2 rural programs located around the country. Congress subsequently continued the funding for those programs and other additional programs. As of fiscal year 2002, 96 Healthy Start programs were being funded.
Each grantee (i.e., participating service area) had a great deal of flexibility in designing its specific program, although several common models have emerged. Certain elements were required of the programs, including a focus on reducing infant mortality, inclusion of the local community in program planning, assessment of local needs, efforts to increase public awareness, implementation of an infant mortality review, development of a package of innovative health and social services for pregnant women and for infants, and evaluation of the initiative.
Originally, 15 demonstration programs were funded for a five-year period; they included 13 urban and 2 rural programs located around the country. Congress subsequently continued the funding for those programs and other additional programs. As of fiscal year 2002, 96 Healthy Start programs were being funded.
Each grantee (i.e., participating service area) had a great deal of flexibility in designing its specific program, although several common models have emerged. Certain elements were required of the programs, including a focus on reducing infant mortality, inclusion of the local community in program planning, assessment of local needs, efforts to increase public awareness, implementation of an infant mortality review, development of a package of innovative health and social services for pregnant women and for infants, and evaluation of the initiative.
Goal / Mission
The initiative's primary purpose was to reduce infant mortality by 50 percent and generally improve maternal and infant health in at-risk communities.
Impact
20% of the Healthy Start program sites had significantly lower rates of low-birth-weight babies than their comparisons. 20% of the sites also had significantly lower rates of very-low-birth-weight babies than their comparisons. Four of the sites had significantly lower pre-term birth rates.
Results / Accomplishments
Three Healthy Start program sites had significantly lower rates of low-birth-weight babies than their comparison sites. Similarly, three Healthy Start program sites had significantly lower rates of very-low-birth-weight babies.
The Healthy Start program was associated with a significantly lower pre-term birth rate in four program sites (with decreases ranging from 1.3 percent to 2.9 percent); the differences in the pre-term birth rate in the other (11) sites were not statistically significant.
The Healthy Start program was associated with a significantly lower pre-term birth rate in four program sites (with decreases ranging from 1.3 percent to 2.9 percent); the differences in the pre-term birth rate in the other (11) sites were not statistically significant.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
National Healthy Start Association
Primary Contact
NHSA
1325 G Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
202-296-2195
info@nationalhealthystart.org
http://www.nationalhealthystart.org/
1325 G Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
202-296-2195
info@nationalhealthystart.org
http://www.nationalhealthystart.org/
Topics
Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health
Organization(s)
National Healthy Start Association
Source
Promising Practices Network
Date of implementation
1991
For more details
http://www.nationalhealthystart.org/healthy_start_...
http://www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp?prog...
http://www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp?prog...
Target Audience
Women