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Needs assessment for reducing infant mortality in Baltimore City: the Healthy Start Program
P O'Campo1, B Guyer, B Squires
1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Southern Medical Journal
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Baltimore faces high infant mortality rates. A needs assessment identified key factors, leading to funding for the Healthy Start Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative to improve perinatal health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Perinatal Epidemiology
- Health Policy
Background:
- Baltimore exhibits high infant mortality rates, particularly among Black and White populations.
- Poor pregnancy outcomes are prevalent, necessitating targeted interventions.
- Effective policy formulation relies on robust needs assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a needs assessment identifying factors contributing to infant mortality in Baltimore.
- To inform the design of intervention programs for improving perinatal health.
- To support funding acquisition for the Healthy Start Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiple sources of routinely collected data for comprehensive analysis.
- Conducted a needs assessment focused on Baltimore City's specific challenges.
- Analyzed data to pinpoint critical intervention factors.
Main Results:
- The needs assessment successfully informed the Baltimore City Health Department.
- Secured funding for the federal Healthy Start Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative.
- Identified specific intervention strategies to address infant mortality.
Conclusions:
- Needs assessments are crucial for effective public health policy and intervention design.
- Data-driven assessments can lead to successful funding and program implementation.
- Future assessments should refine strategies for improving perinatal health.