Magnolia Project

Evidence Rating  
Expert Opinion
Evidence rating: Expert Opinion

Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.

Health Factors  

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.

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