First Step Campaign Overview

Established in 1990, the First Step Campaign is the N.C. Healthy Start Foundation's cornerstone public education campaign. The First Step Campaign has received national awards and recognition for its multifaceted approach to increasing public education and awareness. Its focus - reducing infant death, illness and disability - is achieved by addressing women's health before, during and after pregnancy.

Specifically, the campaign:

• Helps women and men assess their health and readiness to be parents and encourages them to establish good habits before they conceive
• Educates women of child-bearing age about the importance of taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid
• Addresses specific pregnancy-related topics, giving women the knowledge and tools they need to have a healthy pregnancy
• Educates parents on how to establish a safe sleep environment for their baby and how to help their baby develop.

The First Step Campaign makes a special effort to reach minority women and men to reduce the racial disparity in infant mortality rates.

With free educational materials (see side bar), public service announcements and a Web site for the public that expands on information in the printed materials, the First Step Campaign continues to be North Carolina's premiere source of pregnancy health and infant mortality reduction information.

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Last updated: October 2011