Heart of Georgia Healthy Start

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Heart of Georgia Healthy Start Better Health for Babies We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of community members who promote better health for babies and families.

Thank you Mayor Kight and The City of Dublin for recognizing such worthy causes!
10/08/2026

Thank you Mayor Kight and The City of Dublin for recognizing such worthy causes!

As National Infant Mortality Awareness Month comes to a close, we reflect on the lives of babies lost too soon, honor th...
09/28/2026

As National Infant Mortality Awareness Month comes to a close, we reflect on the lives of babies lost too soon, honor the strength of families affected by loss, and reaffirm our commitment to creating healthier futures for all mothers, babies, and families.

Throughout this month, we have raised awareness about the causes of infant mortality, highlighted the differences in outcomes that affect too many communities, and recognized the collective efforts of families, health care providers, community leaders, advocates, and Healthy Start programs working to improve outcomes every day.

Infant mortality rates have improved over time, yet too many deaths remain preventable, and the United States continues to experience higher rates than many other high-income countries.

The end of this month is not the end of our work. Let us carry forward the lessons, partnerships, and momentum built during this observance. Together, we can continue to expand access to quality care, address the social and economic factors that influence birth outcomes, support families, and advance healthy outcomes so that every baby has the opportunity to celebrate a first birthday.

Infant mortality is not inevitable. Many infant deaths can be prevented through quality health care, strong family suppo...
09/22/2026

Infant mortality is not inevitable. Many infant deaths can be prevented through quality health care, strong family support systems, and investments in communities. Healthy Start is helping lead this work, but everyone has a role to play. Here is how you can take action.

From September 13–16, Heart of Georgia Healthy Start had the incredible opportunity to attend the HRSA Healthy Start Gra...
09/20/2026

From September 13–16, Heart of Georgia Healthy Start had the incredible opportunity to attend the HRSA Healthy Start Grantee 35th Annual Meeting and Conference**.

With more than 105 Healthy Start sites across the United States, and six Healthy Start programs serving communities throughout Georgia, we are proud to be part of a national family committed to improving the health and well-being of mothers, babies, fathers, and families.

One of the things that makes Healthy Start so special is that every site is unique. Each program has developed strategies and services tailored to the needs, strengths, and challenges of the communities it serves. While our approaches may look different, we are united by one mission: **to support families and help reduce infant and maternal mortality in our communities.**

The conference was filled with learning, collaboration, encouragement, and renewed inspiration. We returned home reminded that the work we do matters and that we are not in this fight alone.

Heart of Georgia Healthy Start is proud to be part of the Healthy Start Family!💙

Together, we will continue to serve, support, educate, advocate, and fight for healthier mothers, healthier babies, and healthier families.









Going on right now until all items are given out!!!! Check the flyer for the address and location!!!!!!
09/15/2026

Going on right now until all items are given out!!!! Check the flyer for the address and location!!!!!!

An infant born in the United States is:About 3 times more likely to die before their first birthday than an infant born ...
09/14/2026

An infant born in the United States is:

About 3 times more likely to die before their first birthday than an infant born in Norway.

More likely to be born preterm or low birth weight, both major contributors to infant mortality.

More likely to face health risks associated with limited access to care, poverty, and housing instability.

Why European Countries Have Lower Rates
Countries with the lowest infant mortality rates generally have:

-Universal access to prenatal and postpartum care

-Robust paid family leave policies

-Lower child poverty rates

-Greater access to home visiting and community health supports

-Strong maternal and infant health systems

These factors help improve birth outcomes and infant survival.

Let's continue to advocate for Healthy Start to provide access to these evidence-based supports to improve outcomes for infants.

Celebration of continued improvement can mask the reality that over 20,000 infants died before reaching their first birt...
09/08/2026

Celebration of continued improvement can mask the reality that over 20,000 infants died before reaching their first birthday.

"For perspective, assuming that a jumbo jet carries 400 people, the current number of infant deaths would be equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing, killing everyone on board, every week for an entire year. If that happened in this country, air traffic would likely halt after a crash or two, the government would investigate, and the industry would quickly deploy solutions to prevent further deaths. Yet, for infant deaths, it seems that our society is complacent to accept the slow, if steady, pace of progress as an entire year of sufficient improvement."

Warren, M.D., Hirai, A.H., Lee, V. (2022). Accelerating Upstream Together: Achieving InfantHealth Equity in the United States by 2030. Pediatrics, 149(2).

Heart of Georgia Healthy Start held our Empty Stroller Walk today to bring Awareness to Infant Mortality. Healthy Start ...
09/08/2026

Heart of Georgia Healthy Start held our Empty Stroller Walk today to bring Awareness to Infant Mortality. Healthy Start continues to work toward reducing infant mortality within our District by providing case management services, health education, childbirth classes, breastfeeding support, fatherhood, mental health, and other services to help families thrive. Thank you to all who participated!

As we begin National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, we are reminded that every child deserves the chance to thrive an...
09/01/2026

As we begin National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, we are reminded that every child deserves the chance to thrive and every family deserves access to the care and support needed for a healthy start.

Although infant mortality rates have improved, the United States continues to experience higher rates of infant death than many other high-income countries, and differences in outcomes among communities remain significant.

This month is more than an observance. It is a call to action.
We encourage communities, policymakers, health care providers, public health professionals, and advocates to:

-Raise awareness about infant mortality and its causes.
-Support evidence-based maternal and infant health programs.
-Promote safe sleep, prenatal care, and postpartum care.
-Address social and economic barriers that affect birth outcomes.
-Invest in Healthy Start and other community-based initiatives that help families thrive.

Together, we can reduce preventable infant deaths and ensure that every baby has the opportunity to celebrate a first birthday.

Healthy Babies. Healthy Families. Healthy Communities. Healthy Start.

On August 12–14, 2026, Heart of Georgia Healthy Start Director Latosha Hunter-Elbert and Care Coordinator Bonita Outlan...
08/18/2026

On August 12–14, 2026, Heart of Georgia Healthy Start Director Latosha Hunter-Elbert and Care Coordinator Bonita Outland attended the Morehouse School of Medicine Project Impact Annual Strategy Session in Atlanta, Georgia.

Project Impact focuses on the importance of preconception health and the critical role it plays in identifying underlying health conditions, social determinants, and environmental factors that may negatively affect women and men of childbearing age. Through this work, Healthy Start is able to help individuals address health concerns and risk factors before pregnancy, ultimately supporting healthier pregnancies, healthier families, and healthier communities.

Heart of Georgia Healthy Start is proud to have three Project Impact implementers providing services in our communities: Shannon Timmons, Angela Battle, and Bonita Outland. During the Annual Strategy Session, all were recognized for their outstanding service and exceptional data quality. Their dedication and attention to detail have contributed valuable information that continues to enhance the implementation, evaluation, and research associated with the Project Impact initiative.
Another highlight of the Strategy Session was the opportunity for Director Latosha Hunter-Elbert to serve as a speaker on a strategy session panel focused on state policies and their impact on community based programs.
Her participation highlighted the important role that community program leaders play in bridging the gap between state policy and the real-world needs of families and communities. It also provided an opportunity to share the experiences and lessons learned through Heart of Georgia Healthy Start's work throughout the South Central Health District.

We are extremely proud of Shannon, Angela, and Bonita for their commitment to excellence and their continued efforts to improve preconception health outcomes in the communities we serve. We are equally proud of Director Latosha Hunter-Elbert for representing Heart of Georgia Healthy Start as a voice for community programs and advocating for strategies that allow programs to successfully navigate policy while remaining focused on the families they serve.

Heart of Georgia Healthy Start is overjoyed to continue our strong partnership with the Morehouse Center for Maternal Health Equity. We look forward to building upon this collaboration and expanding our collective efforts to ensure that women and men have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to achieve optimal health before, during, and after pregnancy.

Address

904-A Hillcrest Parkway
Dublin, GA
31021

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12:30pm

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