The National Healthy Start Association (NHSA), whose members include almost 100 federally funded Healthy Start projects in the United States, promotes community-based maternal and child health programs, particularly those that focus on the reduction of infant mortality, low birthweight and racial disparities in perinatal outcomes.

In recognition of U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess’ civic contributions to fighting infant mortality, the National Healthy Start Association presented Dr. Burgess with their National Service Award. The award is presented each year to elected officials that have exhibited “stellar leadership and steadfast support for the Healthy Start Program and taken active steps to address issues of infant mortality, low birthweight and racial disparities in perinatal outcomes.” The selection is made by the NHSA board of directors. In addition to Congressman Burgess, the awardees this year were Congressman Fred Upton and Senator Jeff Bingaman.

The Tarrant County Infant Mortality Task Force played a significant role in Rep. Burgess being selected for this prestigious award. While the United States ranks 23^rd among industrialized nations in the world in infant mortality, Tarrant County has been greatly afflicted.

Tarrant County has more infant deaths in comparison to the State of Texas taken as a whole, on average. The primary cause of infant mortality in Tarrant County is prematurity and low birthrate. Some 80% of deaths in Tarrant occur within the first week of birth. Within this critical first week, black infants account for over half, 51.9%, of deaths. It is true nationally, that racial disparities occur both in health status and health care. The goal of Healthy Start is to reduce these disparities, especially among pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.

Congressman Burgess secured $50,000 specifically for the Tarrant County Infant Mortality Task Force in the House-passed Health and Human Services Appropriations bill last year.

“I know there are always questions concerning appropriations money in Congress, but I believe this funding is necessary and exactly the type of area where the federal government should be willing to assist,” said Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. “Infant mortality is an area of health care that with true effort and education, we can prevent.”

In the 109^th Congress, Dr. Burgess introduced H.RES.402, Supporting the goals and ideals of Infant Mortality Awareness Month. The focus of the resolution was to raise awareness, on a national level, about the rising concern of infant mortality in our country. By bringing this resolution forward, other Members of Congress, both the House and Senate, had an opportunity to evaluate how their constituency is affected by this growing trend. I am pleased to say that it has already passed both Houses of Congress.

“Congressman Burgess has been a true champion for our Healthy Start program in Fort Worth,” said Jerry Roberson of the Tarrant County Mortality Task Force. “He has taken a genuine interest and made a real commitment to ensure that we have the resources to make an impact on infant mortality and low birthweight babies in our community. We are blessed to have a Congressman like Dr. Burgess who not only cares about families with limited access to health services, but is in a position to do something about it.”

The National Healthy Start Association believes that the Healthy Start program offers the best models for the reduction of infant mortality, low birthweight and racial disparities in perinatal outcomes. This model emphasizes both the importance of community-based approaches to solving these problems, and the need to develop comprehensive, holistic interventions that include health, social and economic services.

Each Healthy Start project is mandated to develop a local consortium composed of neighborhood residents, medical providers, social service agencies, faith-based representatives and the business community. This consortium guides and oversees the design and implementation of the local Healthy Start project.

The Association has a mandate to ensure that these key features of the Healthy Start model are strengthened and promoted among all Healthy Start projects and is available to provide technical assistance, when requested.