Healthy Start Program a Factor In Lower Infant Mortality Rates

Healthy Start, a federal program established to reduce infant mortality, celebrated its second anniversary with Jefferson patients in June. Since the inception of Healthy Start, the infant mortality rate in designated high-risk Philadelphia neighborhoods declined from 20.7 (per 1000 live births) to 14.6 this year. It is believed that Healthy Start contributed to that decrease, says Heather Jolley, MSW, Jefferson's Healthy Start hospital liaison.

The Healthy Start program provides pre- and postnatal care, nutritional counseling, childbirth/parenting education and social services for parents and newborns. In addition, "Coffee Talk" provides a monthly forum for new and expectant parents to hear speakers and discuss subjects of interest. Some topics addressed this year included domestic violence, starting your own business, and AIDS prevention. On average, 10 mothers attend "Coffee Talk" each week.

Healthy Start benefits are available to pregnant women living in West and Southwest Philadelphia. They must be identified and screened through Jefferson Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates (JOGA), the Maternal Observation Unit (MOU), Postpartum, ER or their physician. Says Ms. Jolley, "Patients tell me they love the support they get from Healthy Start and gain a lot of necessary information from the support group."

For information, call Philadelphia's department of public health at 875-5940.