Accomplishments

This year commemorates 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, we have 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:

• The Foundation's work has been instrumental in a 23% decrease in the state's infant mortality rate since 1990 (35% since 1988). The current rate of 8.2 deaths per 1,000 live births is an all-time low.
  
  
• 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.

• 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.
  
  
• Through coordination of the NC Infant Safe Sleep Campaign, the Foundation has been instrumental in a 26% decrease in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rates since 1993.
  
  
• 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.

• SIDS deaths in childcare settings are now a rare event (0 - 1 year). Before the Foundation's training started, SIDS was the number 1 cause of death in childcare.
  
  
• 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.

• 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
  • children with special healthcare needs
  • Latino teens sex, relationships and acculturation
  • WIC food packet
    
    
• 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.

Click here to learn more about the Foundation and the work we do.

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