Syracuse Healthy Start

The growing number of incarcerated pregnant women represent a high-risk population due to substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and unstable living environments. This population experiences many barriers to obtaining adequate prenatal care. In 2001, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) created comprehensive program to provide in-jail obstetrical and risk-reduction care coordination for pregnant inmates. This program is composed of routine prenatal care, diagnostic obstetric services, Public Health Team (PHT) nurse visits, screening for behavioral risks, HIV testing/counseling, and monitoring care, all received through enrollment into the Syracuse Healthy Start database.

The goal of this program is to provide prenatal care services to incarcerated pregnant women.

In first year of program, the obstetrician provided care to 77 percent of pregnant women incarcerated more than seven days. PHT nurses contacted 71.7 percent of the women and provided services to 47 percent. Women receiving PHT services delivered babies at an increased average gestational age of 38.3 weeks and 3066.7 grams. The health department concludes that providing in-jail medical and behavioral care coordination enhances the quality of care for pregnant incarcerated women.