Healthy Families

Infant mortality rates are an important public health indicator for assessing and comparing the health and well-being of populations. Although the overall infant mortality rates in New Haven have declined since the 1980s there are still marked disparities between the mortality rates for white and non-white infants.

New Haven Healthy Start

The Community Foundation has made the availability and accessibility of prenatal health care a priority through its New Haven Healthy Start Program and encourages the community to support organizations that educate young families on how to ensure the health and well-being of their infants both before and after delivery.

View Haven Healthy Start Programs

New Haven Healthy Start History

New Haven Healthy Start began as 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. The first Federal grant was received in 1997, launching New Haven Healthy Start. Since then, it has received five federal grants to provide a continuum of improvements to a fragmented maternal and child healthcare system using a care coordination model. The model takes a comprehensive approach to child and family healthcare and consists of many components.

In the News

Celebrating Black Champions 4 Health

During Black History Month, we celebrate the many people who are committed to New Haven Healthy Start and to securing a strong Maternal and Child Health system in our community and beyond. Learn more about these local champions and their outstanding work below #blackchampions4health: