Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Omaha Healthy Start (OHS) project, led by Charles Drew Health Center, Inc. (CDHC), is a dynamic initiative designed to address disparities in infant mortality rates and adverse perinatal outcomes in Douglas County, Nebraska. Building on the proven success of CDHC's OHS program, the project focuses on the critical need to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, with a special emphasis on reducing disparities in infant mortality and poor perinatal health. The OHS program offers a range of comprehensive direct and enabling services including screening, referrals, case management, care coordination, health, parenting education, and linkage to clinical care for enrolled participants. The program also utilizes a Community Consortium to address the pressing issues and needs that lead to poor perinatal health outcomes in the Project Area by implementing plans aimed at reducing disparities in perinatal health outcomes and improving the quality and access to clinical, support, and education services. The Project Area is Douglas County, Nebraska, with the target population region in the Zip Codes of 68152, 68112, 68111, 68110, and 68132. The target population is located within a medically underserved area (MUA) and a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and has a notable need for social supports and additional health systems to reduce infant mortality rates in the region, as well as decrease disparities in infant mortality and poor perinatal health outcomes. The Target Population within the Project Area experienced an infant mortality rate of 8.9 per 1,000 live births, a low birthweight rate of 131.5 per 1,000 live births, and a preterm birth rate of 159.9 per 1,000 live births. The Project Area also saw notable health and socio-economic disparities with the highest burden being experienced by the Black population, including notably high rates of teen births and low birthweight births, as well as high rates of women who did not receive prenatal care in the first trimester and high rates of those using tobacco during pregnancy. Given its successful track record as a past participant in the Healthy Start grant program, CDHC is well-suited to undertake this project. Having met crucial Healthy Start benchmarks, the program significantly influenced the health and well-being of participants. Noteworthy achievements include elevating health insurance coverage for OHS women and children participants to 95% for adults and 98% for children, ensuring all women participants had a documented reproductive plan, enhancing breastfeeding rates, increasing well-woman visits, achieving an impressive 96% abstinence from cigarette smoking among pregnant OHS participants, and ensuring 100% of participants received depression and intimate partner violence screening. CDHC is seeking $1.1 million per year for a total of $5.5 million over the project period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2029. OHS aligns its budget with ambitious goals, emphasizing the improvement of maternal and child health outcomes while reducing health disparities in the Target Population. The project aims to continue CDHC's legacy of success, actively shaping a community where health, well-being, and familial engagement are at the forefront, making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of its participants and the broader community.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
