First Focus

We all win when kids have a healthy start. And that begins with ensuring that pregnant women get the care they need to deliver strong, healthy babies and that those newborns have access to high quality, reliable care they can depend on to keep them healthy. The data is clear that investments in Maternal and Child Health programs reap benefits that last a lifetime both in terms of improved health outcomes and cost savings. For example, the federal Healthy Start program has been successful at reducing infant mortality, reducing low birth weight, improving prenatal care, and reducing barriers to health care for pregnant women and newborns. And because every Healthy Start site is supported by a consortium of community-based partners – residents, parents, medical providers, social service agencies, faith representatives and business leaders – entire communities are engaged to help children survive and succeed. First Focus believes that Congress must close the funding gap to ensure that Maternal and Child Health projects have the resources necessary to maintain current services and reach more pregnant woman and newborns nationwide.