New Haven Healthy Start (NHHS)
NHHS is a federally-funded urban health initiative that focuses on infant mortality and the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. It is supported by the federal grant (H49MC00095) from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Division of Perinatal Health Systems. The Black infant mortality in New Haven is 2.5 times the rate of White infants, paralleling that of the US. By targeting the leading causes of infant mortality, low birth weight and prematurity/pre-term birth, NHHS has been successful in addressing infant mortality for more than a decade. For more information about New Haven Healthy Start, please contact one of the staff members below:
New Haven Healthy Start provides a continuum of improvements to a fragmented maternal and child healthcare system using a care coordination model. The model is exemplary in its comprehensive approach to maternal and child healthcare. Components of the model are extensive:
- referrals to medical facilities;
case management and outreach; - a networked data system accessible to all service providers;
- an examination process for all infant and fetal deaths;
- a collaborative to improve racial disparity and birth outcomes;
- a consortium made up of health officials and Healthy Start consumers.
The program is run through a large network of State-wide and local partners, including: Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, The New Haven Health Department, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Hospital of St. Raphael, Hill Health Center, Fair Haven Community Health Center, New Haven Family Alliance (Male Involvement Network), and Life Haven Inc.
New Haven Healthy Start is focusing its efforts in the African American population, in which the infant mortality rate is higher than any other race in New Haven. The program looks at all factors influencing birth outcomes, including racial and ethnic health disparities. Research shows that there are significant racial and ethnic health disparities in New Haven.
The Stats:
- Since 2002, NHHS has served 13,348 pregnant women and 7, 446 infants by providing them with care coordination services;
- Approximately 80% of program participants are residents of New Haven
while the remaining 20% are from various other surrounding towns including West Haven, East Haven & Hamden;
- Healthy Start program participants have better birth outcomes than the broader community as measured by infant mortality rates and incidence of low birth weight babies. The overall infant mortality rate among program participants from 2005 to 2009 is 3.7 deaths per 1,000 live births (the average yearly IMR from 2005 to 2009 is 3.8), while the 2008 rate for the city of New Haven was 15.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. The percentage of low birth weight infants born to program participants during 2009 was 6% compared to 11.1% of births to New Haven residents in 20081;
- African American women living in New Haven are 2.5 times more likely to experience an infant death and are also more likely to have preterm and low birth weight babies.
The cost of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight
- It is estimated that the average cost of caring for a preterm baby in the NICU is a catastrophic $79,000. In comparison, the average hospital charge for providing care to a healthy newborn is $1,5002;
- Low birth weight children are 50% more likely than normal birth weight children to need special education programs. It is estimated that the special education cost per pupil is $3,5553;
- Low birth weight children are also more likely to repeat a grade in school. It has been estimated that the average cost of repeating a grade in school per pupil is more than $4,000.3
1 Data on city-wide mortality and birth weight comes from CT Department of Public Health, Vital Statistics.
2 March of Dimes Peristats: www.marchofdimes.com/peristats
3 E. Lewit, L Baker, H Corman, P. Shiono, The Direct Cost of Low Birth Weight. The Future of Children Brookings Institute (1995)
New Haven Healthy Start was an outgrowth of the work of the Commission on Child and Infant Health, which was convened by The Community Foundation
for Greater New Haven in 1985. The Commission was formed to address the high infant mortality and morbidity rates in New Haven and was a collaboration between health officials, community leaders and child care advocates. Its work provided the base for The Community Foundation’s application for federal funding for a Healthy Start program in New Haven. Since receiving its first Federal grant in 1997, the New Haven Healthy Start (NHHS) team has successfully implemented all core services for a federal Healthy Start program.
What we know
56%, or more than half of adults in New Haven, are overweight. How does this break down?
- 3 out of 4 (75%) of African Americans in New Haven are overweight;
- Over half (57%) of Latinos in New Haven are overweight;
- Almost half (48%) of Whites in New Haven are overweight.
Next time you prepare a meal, try this recipe on grilled chicken or fish. It’s easy, fast and a great way to add flavor without many calories. Healthy cooking leads to healthy eating; healthy eating leads to healthy living.
Spicy Tomato Relish (serves 4)
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 onion (yellow or red), chopped
- 2 tblsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tblsp olive oil
- black pepper, to taste
Chop tomatoes, onion and parsley. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Put a big scoop on top of grilled chicken or fish and enjoy!
New Haven Healthy Start knows that one of the best ways to support pregnant women, mothers and their babies to ensure healthy birth outcomes is to create a strong support network in their community.
If you are a New Haven neighborhood resident, you can help at-risk moms and their babies by joining the Baby Buddy Program. For more information contact Kenn Harris, Program Director at
kharris@cfgnh.org or 203-777-7080.
You are invited to the launch of
New Haven Healthy Start’s Fall LunchTALK
Tuesday, October 25th 2011, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The LunchTALK series was started over the summer to discuss the known factors that impact birth outcomes. The issue of racism was explored in the first documentary, “Race the Power of an Illusion” by California Newsreel; the Fall series will showcase the documentary “PLACE MATTERS” and explore how where you live can impact your health. Questions that will be asked: What does segregation have to do with this issue of birth outcomes? What are the implications of living in certain neighborhoods? What determines the amount of resources that go into particular communities?
Date: TUESDAY, October 25th, 2011
Time: 11:00 — 1:00 pm
Location: The Community Foundation
for Greater New Haven
4th Floor, Cooper Room
Lunch will be served.
Seating is limited; please RSVP to Hannah Dixon at (203) 777-7086 or email hrsatemp@cfgnh.org
Click here to download a flyer about the lunchTALK.