(Editor’s note: This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)
Every child deserves a healthy start in life. But for too many Florida families, access to maternal and infant health services remains out of reach — putting the well-being of mothers, babies, and entire communities at risk.
For over three decades, Florida Healthy Start has been a lifeline for families, delivering critical support to expectant and new parents. These community-based programs improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and provide parents with the tools they need to help their children thrive.
The numbers speak for themselves: Families receiving full Healthy Start home-visiting services experience 35% fewer premature births and 42% lower infant mortality rates. But these life-changing outcomes are only possible with continued investment in maternal and child health.
Despite Florida’s meaningful progress, gaps in care remain. For example, 20.8% of mothers received inadequate or no prenatal care. Rural communities face even greater challenges, with limited access to providers and services. These disparities have real consequences — not just for the families affected but for the state. Premature births and pregnancy complications drive up health care costs for everyone, strain resources, and lead to long-term developmental challenges for children.
Florida Healthy Start is working to close these gaps with free programs and services tailored to meet the unique needs of Florida families. Our Connect program has linked more than 295,000 families to essential prenatal and infant care services. Our Healthy Start Doula program, with more than 115 trained doulas, has been proven to reduce C-section rates and improve birth outcomes. And because fathers play a critical role in family health, our TEAM Dad program has provided hands-on support and education to hundreds of fathers across the state.
Every investment in maternal and child health pays dividends — not just in lives saved, but in reduced health care costs, stronger families, and a healthier workforce for Florida’s future. Lawmakers have tough budget decisions to make this year, but one thing is clear: Funding Florida Healthy Start is not an expense; it’s an investment, one with proven returns.
Florida’s 32 Healthy Start coalitions stand ready to continue their vital work. But they can’t do it alone. Now is the time to ensure that every mom, dad, and baby in Florida has access to the care and support they need — not just for their future, but for Florida’s as well.
Cathy Timuta is the CEO of the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions (FAHSC). Her passion is to ensure that families have access to needed healthcare and services to empower parents to give every baby a healthy start in life.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Funding Florida Healthy Start is not an expense; it’s an investment | Opinion
Reporting by Cathy Timuta / Tallahassee Democrat
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