A program that has nurses visiting the homes of economically-disadvantaged mothers is showing new promise, according to the latest research.
The Nurse-Family Partnership program was first developed by researchers at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and at the University of Colorado.
More than 300 first-time mothers in the Rochester area are enrolled in the program annually.
Dawn Borgeest is a Senior Vice President with the United Way, which is the primary funder of the initiative.
She says the latest study shows that the intervention has decreased the number of deaths among both children and mothers who are considered at "high-risk" for premature death.
"We know that it reduces premature rates, we know that it increases a child's readiness for school, it reduces hospitalization for the young children. But what this study also shows, which is very exciting is it impacts the mom's health as well, so you really get a benefit for both the participants in the program"
The visiting nurses coach mothers on everything from the importance of immunizations for their children to managing a toddler's temper tantrums.
