Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Early Prenatal Care.

Overview. Birthing women who come from non-White population groups are more likely to enter prenatal care after the first trimester. The issue includes lack of available appointments, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, exposure to IPV, and pregnancy-specific conditions.[1,2,3, 6] It is imperative to provide ongoing healthcare provider training beyond clinical skills and techniques to ensure access for all birthing women.[1] Interventions that are woman-centered, include mixed-theoretical approaches, population health theory, and the life course approach that may impact maternal and infant outcomes.[1] Leveraging community health workers and home visiting programs that provide social support, resources, education, and connection to the community has been successful in supporting birthing women to overcome traditional barriers to access and increase their initiation and utilization of prenatal care among multiple populations.[4,5]

Evidence. Moderate Evidence. Strategies with this rating are likely to work. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall; however, further research is needed to confirm effects, especially with multiple population groups. These strategies also trend positive in combination with other strategies. (Clarifying Note: The WWFH database calls this "some evidence").

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source. (Read more about understanding evidence ratings).

Source. Peer-Reviewed Literature

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

• Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
• Morbidity Reduction. This strategy addresses factors that can decrease the incidence or prevalence of diseases and illnesses.
• Mortality Prevention. This strategy addresses factors that are associated with preventing death, particularly premature death from preventable causes.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Direct Care (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Individual/Family-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. As Title V agencies begin to incorporate this strategy into ESMs, examples will be available here. Until then, you can search for ESMs that have similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework (for suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).