The nationwide Healthy Start initiative aims to reduce infant mortality and improve infant health by deploying community health workers who visit homes and provide educational, emotional and material support to new and expectant parents. To assess the quality and impact of the Bronx Healthy Start Partnership, 62 new parents completed an online survey, and an additional 16 new parents were interviewed by phone.  

The evaluation was conducted by Alma Idehen, M.S., and colleagues in collaboration with the Center for Evaluation and Applied Research at the New York Academy of Medicine, and results were published online on November 22 in Maternal and Child Health Journal. The new parents reported that the education they received on breastfeeding and safe sleep practices was particularly helpful. They also clearly indicated that interacting with the Bronx Healthy Start community health workers improved their health and well-being before and after pregnancy. In addition, many clients reported reduced stress levels as they navigated the challenges of raising a baby. These and other findings will guide ongoing efforts to improve community health worker programs in the United States. 

Ms. Idehen is a principal associate of family and social medicine and co-director of the Bronx Healthy Start Partnership at Einstein and Montefiore.