Congressman Cohen Announces $2 Million Healthy Start Grants

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Shelby County and the Shelby County Health Care Corporation (Regional One) will receive $2,016,498 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy Start Initiative designed to eliminate disparities in perinatal health for expecting mothers and those who have just given birth. The program focuses on communities with infant mortality rates 1.5 times the national average.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"Maternal health and high infant mortality in our community have been a major focus during my time in public service because Memphis and the Mid-South have traditionally had some of the highest rates in the country. I introduced the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act last September to create infant-mortality-focused pilot programs in the highest risk communities. The funding announced today will energize our local efforts and ultimately save lives."

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