Since 1992, the Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc. has been working to make sure that all babies get a Healthy Start. The Coalition is a community based, private, non-profit organization focused on improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, their children and families. We serve about half of the expectant and new families every year in Pinellas County with services and support to help them have a healthy pregnancy, baby and family.
In 1991, Florida’s Healthy Start legislation was passed and created 32 Healthy Start Coalitions, a statewide system of care for pregnant women, newborns and their families. This was our nation’s first effort to provide a system of community-driven services to reduce infant mortality. Florida’s infant mortality rate has fallen from 9.6 in 1990 to 6.0 in 2019. Healthy Start works to ensure that all pregnant women and newborns are screened for risk factors for infant mortality and poor birth outcomes. All of our services work to directly address risk factors, are not based on income or insurance status, and are provided at no cost
