Accomplishments
Statistics
Public Education
Training and Technical Assistance
Advising
Latino Health
2010 commemorated the 20th anniversary of the
North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation and our leadership
of statewide efforts to reduce infant death and disability.
Established initially to coordinate the activities
of the Governor's Commission on Reduction of Infant
Mortality, the agency has evolved throughout the years, becoming
a highly recognized advocate for improving the health
and well-being of women and children across the state.
We are proud of the work we do on behalf of North Carolinians
and will continue to educate, advocate, provide and
lead in an effort to positively impact future generations
of Tar Heel children.
Working to make a healthy start:
Statistics
- The Foundation's work has been instrumental in
a 32% decrease in the state's infant mortality rate
since 1990 (45% since 1988). The current rate of
7 deaths per 1,000 live births is an all-time low (2009)
- Through coordination of the NC Infant Safe Sleep Campaign,
the Foundation has been instrumental in a 44% decrease
in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rates since
2009
- SIDS deaths in childcare settings are now a rare event. Before the Foundation's training started, SIDS was the number one cause of death in licensed child care
Public Education
- We coordinate six of the state's most successful
public health education campaigns designed to reduce
infant mortality and promote healthy lifestyles for
the women and children of North Carolina
- Three of the Foundation's public education campaigns
have received national awards; one has been recognized as a promising practice in cultural competency
- Annually, we distribute more than three million educational
materials, FREE of charge, to community organizations,
healthcare providers, businesses and individuals
across the state
- Between 1991 and 2002, we awarded more than $4
million to 269 public and private agencies to support
programs impacting infant mortality
- In 2009, 82 small, one-time grants were awarded to community based and government organizations in 51 counties. The grants supported a wide range of local programs to improve the health of women of childbearing age
- As a result of the Foundation's promotional efforts
of NC Health Choice, more than 130,000 children are
enrolled in this publicly funded health insurance
program
Training and Technical Assistance
- All licensed childcare providers working with infants receive
state mandated "safe sleep" training
developed by the Foundation in an effort to reduce
the risks of SIDS
- In 2003, the Foundation hosted a statewide Summit
on Low Birthweight and Prematurity, culminating in
the dissemination of a Final Report, concluding that,
while some very creative, innovative and successful
programs exist, infant mortality in North Carolina
remains a major public health concern
Advising
- Through focus groups, discussions and key informant interviews (in English and Spanish), the Foundation has produced reports and made recommendations to the N.C. Division of Public Health on topics such as:
- Women's health behaviors and use of health services
- Understanding pregnancy intention
- New WIC food packet
Latino Health
- Perceptions of children with special healthcare needs
- Latino teen sex, relationships and acculturation
Click here to learn more
about the Foundation and the work we do.
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Last updated: November 2011 |
