National Healthy Start Association

Did you know that according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease remains the greatest health threat to women, and that it is the leading cause of death for women (American Heart Association, 2024)? ?? High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.?More than 56 million women in the United States (44.3%) have high blood pressure (defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher) or are taking blood pressure medicine, and this includes 1 in 5 women?of reproductive age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). ?? Prevention, awareness, and support are critical.?To address these issues,?the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative (AIM CCI) has developed the maternal safety bundles Community Care to Address the Management of Chronic Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum.?These bundles were developed in partnership with six pilot sites, and subject matter experts, from around the United States. ??These bundles address the multifaceted challenges with diabetes, hypertension, and overweight and obesity during pregnancy and postpartum, all of which can contribute to heart disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). ?? It also acknowledges health disparities, the need for culturally appropriate education, and shared decision-making. WATCH the video from the AIM CCI team to learn more. VISIT https://lnkd.in/eT5_v-3N and DOWNLOAD these bundles to support women and birthing people in your community. Partners who have been instrumental in piloting AIM CCI bundles include: California Health Collaborative Center for Black Women's Wellness Community Service Council, Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, Louisiana Public Health Institute, and Spectrum Health (Strong Beginnings). #americanheartmonth #breastfeeding #maternalhealth #AIMCCI

Get ready for Giving Tuesday on December 3rd! Your support can make a difference! Since 1991, the National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) has been committed to improving maternal child health outcomes in the United States. By promoting the development of community-based maternal and child health programs and initiatives, pregnancy and birth outcomes are improved and achieved through direct outreach, case management, healthy education, interconceptional care, and screenings. Check the link below to donate! https://lnkd.in/ecPJNm7r

NHSA AIM CCI is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist to join our team! See the link here: https://lnkd.in/eN8sye_v

"For more than 30 years, the federal?Healthy Start program?has been investing in community-based solutions to reduce maternal and infant mortality in communities with infant mortality rates at least 1.5 times the U.S. national average. At a time when many are rightly calling for more community and family engagement to reduce maternal and infant mortality, Healthy Start is the only federal program with that explicit design and purpose. Beyond maternal and infant mortality reduction, the goals of Healthy Start include: reducing disparities in access to and utilization of health services, improving the local health care system, and increasing consumer and community input into health care decisions." https://lnkd.in/ejYHqDfN

Today, we honor those who have served our country, with courage and dedication. Your sacrifices are remembered always. Happy Veterans Day!

Local, state, and federal elections impact our daily lives. Raise your voice and vote! There are more than a dozen states that allow same-day registration, including today on election day. Those states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Check your state's election administration website. VOTE!

Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., allow same-day voter registration, allowing qualified residents to register and vote at the same time. Twenty of those states and Washington, D.C., also offer Election Day registration. Note: Alaska and Rhode Island allow election day registration only to vote for president and vice president. Read more: https://bit.ly/3XURLHm #NCSLelections

The Addressing Intimate Partner Violence to Support Participant and Staff Safety and Enhance Outcomes in Maternal Health professional learning series can be utilized by an array of outpatient and social services professionals, both frontline staff and supervisors, to better understand and respond to the needs of women/birthing persons experiencing IPV during pregnancy and beyond. This 7-module training has been accredited by the American Public Health Association (APHA) for up to 7.5 Continuing Education Credits for physicians, nurses, public health educators, and allied health professionals. For additional information and to register, please visit https://lnkd.in/eAN_6qGV. Futures Without Violence

Support Needed for Healthy Start Projects Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton! ?? ?? ?? !!! The National Healthy Start Association recently reached out to Healthy Start projects impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We received a heartfelt response from Latosha Elbert, Project Director of Laurens County Board of Health/Heart of Georgia Healthy Start. Latosha shared that their program serves 10 counties in Georgia—Laurens, Johnson, Bleckley, Dodge, Wheeler, Montgomery, Telfair, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox—all of which were severely affected by Hurricane Helene. Many community members and staff are still without electricity or water and have suffered significant damage to their homes. They are in urgent need of the following items: Non-perishable food Diapers Wipes Pull-ups Formula Tarps A registry through Walmart has been created to help with these items. Your support through this registry can make a difference! If you are able to assist, please click the link below and to contribute to this Healthy Start community during this important time of need. Thank you for your generosity ??. https://lnkd.in/e7wsWJih ?? There are many Healthy Start sites impacted by these hurricanes. To find other sites in impacted areas, please visit this directory https://lnkd.in/gs7yedXj . #HurricaneHelene #HurricaneMilton

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. NHSA AIM CCI has developed the Community Care to Address Intimate Partner Violence During and After Pregnancy Bundle, which seeks to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum women/birthing persons receive education, assessment, and support needed in response to IPV. Exposure to current or past Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)?is one of the leading contributors to poor maternal health outcomes, including poor pregnancy outcomes. The bundle was designed for use in non-hospital settings, such as outpatient and community-based clinical facilities, as well as by other social and supportive services agencies that may be a touchpoint during the pregnancy and postpartum journey. It provides a small set of evidence-based interventions that combines medical and improvement science to achieve improved outcomes. To view and download the bundle, visit https://lnkd.in/eT5_v-3N. For any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].