Florida must do more to ensure children get a good start in life| Column

Every parent wants the best for their child, but too often, barriers to health care put Florida families at risk before a baby is even born. Access to quality prenatal and infant care isn’t just a health issue, it’s a cornerstone for stronger communities, better educational outcomes and a more resilient workforce. Ensuring that every mother and baby gets the healthiest possible start should be a top priority for Florida lawmakers.

For more than 30 years, Florida Healthy Start coalitions has worked to remove obstacles to care, offering vital services to expectant mothers, new parents, and infants. Across the state, 32 Healthy Start coalitions provide education, home visits, and connections to critical health resources. These efforts have saved lives, reduced costly birth complications and helped families build a solid foundation for the future. Thanks in part to Healthy Start, the preterm birth rate in Hillsborough County in 2023 was 10.2%, lower than the statewide average of 10.7%.

Yet significant challenges remain. One in 5 women in Florida (20.8%) do not receive adequate prenatal care, putting both their health and their babies’ well-being at risk. This is especially alarming in rural and underserved communities, where access to maternity care is severely limited. Without intervention, these disparities contribute to higher rates of premature births and preventable infant deaths.

The good news is that programs like Healthy Start make a measurable impact. Families who receive home-visiting services experience 35% fewer premature births, and their infant mortality rate is 42% lower than the state average. The Florida Healthy Start Connect program has helped 295,000 Florida families access essential health services, while the coalition’s doula program has trained over 115 doulas, significantly improving birth outcomes and reducing C-section rates.

Beyond medical care, Florida Healthy Start also focuses on family engagement. The TEAM Dad initiative provides fathers with the knowledge and support they need to play an active role in their child’s development. These programs don’t just help families in the short term — they create lasting generational change.

Investing in maternal and infant health is a smart, cost-effective decision that benefits all Floridians. Healthier births mean fewer medical complications, lower long-term health care costs, and better outcomes for children as they grow. A child who gets the right start in life is more likely to succeed in school, become a productive member of the workforce and contribute positively to their community.

Florida has made great strides in maternal and infant health, but there’s no guarantee this progress will continue. State lawmakers must prioritize funding for Florida Healthy Start, ensuring that these essential programs remain available to the families who need them most. A stronger, healthier Florida starts with supporting our most vulnerable: our mothers and babies.

Florida Healthy Start has the expertise, the infrastructure and the proven results. But it cannot continue this work alone. By protecting and expanding funding for maternal and infant health programs, we can make sure every baby in Florida has a chance to thrive from the very beginning.