A health program that benefits mothers and infants in Syracuse and across the state needs $5million in federal assistance to keep it running.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and her colleagues have introduced the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act. She says Syracuse’s location is 1 of 5 locations to currently receive a share of the award.
The program aims to help mothers care for their babies to address high infant mortality rates which are 1.5 times higher in New York than the national average.
“More people in the United States die from pregnancy-related complications than in any of our peer countries. This is outrageous and downright shameful,” said Gillibrand. “Our Healthy Start Reauthorization Act would continue support for these essential programs that help close persistent racial and geographic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.”
The program supports mothers both during and after pregnancy, and addresses elevated rates of preterm births, maternal illness and low birth rates.
