Magnolia Project
The Magnolia Project is a Healthy Start program that provides prenatal and interconception care and case management services to eligible women in five Jacksonville Florida zip codes; most residents of these zip codes are black. Services include case management, family planning, group based health education, clinical services, and community outreach.
What could this strategy improve?
Expected Benefits
Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:
Improved birth outcomes
Potential Benefits
Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:
Reduced incidence of STIs
Increased use of contraception
What does the research say about effectiveness? This strategy is rated expert opinion.
The Magnolia Project is a suggested strategy to improve birth outcomes1. Available evidence suggests that participation by high-risk women in the case management program may lower the incidence of infant mortality2, 3, 4 and low birthweight babies3, 4. Participants appear to have fewer repeat sexually transmitted infections (STIs)3, 5, and may make greater use of family planning methods than before participating in the program5. Additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.
How could this strategy impact health disparities? This strategy is rated likely to decrease disparities.
Implementation Examples
As of July 2013, the Magnolia Project is only in Jacksonville, Florida.
Footnotes
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
1 March of Dimes-Pregnancy - March of Dimes. Toward improving the outcome of pregnancy III.
2 Brady 2014 - Brady C, Johnson F. Integrating the life course into MCH service delivery: From theory to practice. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2014;18(2):380-8.
3 Livingood 2010 - Livingood WC, Brady C, Pierce K, et al. Impact of pre-conception health care: Evaluation of a social determinants focused intervention. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2010;14(3):382-91.
4 Will 2005 - Will JA, Hall I, Cheney T, Driscoll M. Flower power: Assessing the impact of the Magnolia Project on reducing poor birth outcomes in an at-risk neighborhood. Journal of Applied Sociology. 2005;22(2).
5 Biermann 2006 - Biermann J, Dunlop AL, Brady C, Dubin C, Brann Jr. A. Promising practices in preconception care for women at risk for poor health and pregnancy outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2006;10(5 Suppl):S21-8.
Related What Works for Health Strategies
To see citations and implementation resources for this strategy, visit:
countyhealthrankings.org/take-action-to-improve-health/what-works-for-health/strategies/magnolia-project
To see all strategies:
countyhealthrankings.org/whatworks