(Louisville, KY) Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced today that Louisville Healthy Start has been awarded $1,275,000 from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to reduce health disparities for new mothers and infants. Metro Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Metro Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Adewale Troutman joined Congressman Yarmuth for the check presentation of the funds.

“Earlier this year, and with my strong support, Congress increased funding for Healthy Start to a total of more than $102 million,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “I’m delighted that Louisville Healthy Start is receiving funding from this program to continue its vital services to mothers and their infants in our community.”

“The Healthy Start program has literally saved lives in Louisville and has helped reduce our infant mortality rate,” Mayor Abramson said. “These new federal dollars will ensure that the successful program continues to operate for many more years.”

Healthy Start is committed to providing new mothers in at-risk neighborhoods with services and resources that help eliminate disparities in infant healthcare. Established in Louisville in 1998, Healthy Start’s educational and health service programs have helped more than 6,000 mothers.

“This new funding gives us resources to continue to help babies and their families during pregnancy and the critical first two years of life,” said Dr. Troutman. “It also lets us continue to close the disparate rates of infant mortality between minority populations and the overall population.  Congressman Yarmuth has been a true champion of Healthy Start.  We thank him for all he has done.”

Since its inception, Louisville Healthy Start has been remarkably successful. Between 1999 and 2007, the percentage of new and expectant mothers in Louisville receiving preventative care rose from 51 to 91 percent. The program was one of just a few that reported no infant deaths from participating families between 2002 and 2005.

The grant awarded to the program is expected to be extended annually to 2014, pending the approval by HRSA.