Life-changing UK health programs could reach more families with better coordination and resources, research says

New research from City, University of London and University of Southampton highlights the importance of Healthy Start for low-income households and outlines some recommendations for local and central government to boost uptake of the scheme. Masu.

The research was led by Professor Christina Vogel, director of the City Center for Food Policy, University of London. This study aimed to evaluate the UK Healthy Start scheme and understand how it could be improved to reach more eligible families.

The Healthy Start Scheme was launched in 2006. The scheme provides financial support and free vitamins to pregnant women and their families with children under the age of four who live on low incomes as defined by eligibility criteria. Prior to March 2022, families were provided with paper vouchers, but now the financial element of the scheme is a digital prepaid card.

The study shows that digitization has made the system easier to use for most people. Approximately 366,000 households currently receive prepaid cards. Out of a total of 506,309 families currently eligible. Cardholders receive £4.25 per child or week of pregnancy (or £8.50 per week per child from birth to one year of age) on fruit, vegetables, milk and formula with their Healthy Start prepaid card. , you can buy beans.

Millie Barrett, project manager and lead author of the paper, said: 'Healthy Start is 'life-changing', 'transformative' and a 'lifeline' for families who cannot afford basic healthy food. We are told that one in every child in the UK lives in a food insecure household and this policy will help.This commissioned work will help us reach optimal uptake of Healthy Start. We were able to hear from many people to better understand why they aren't and identify what can be done to increase their use.

This work included interviews with more than 100 people across the UK who promote, implement or use the scheme, including healthcare professionals, retailers and eligible family members. The survey results show that people across the system universally support Healthy Start and believe it is an essential support for pregnant women and families living on low incomes.

However, with 3.5 out of 10 people still not taking advantage of Healthy Start, those interviewed said they valued the scheme not for stipends, vouchers or handouts, but for good food and healthy food. We believed that by reframing it as a child's right to development, utilization rates could increase. It would also better coordinate promotional efforts and provide sufficient resources to help eligible families complete their applications with people they trust and in places they visit regularly, such as community centers, children's centers, and places of worship. I was looking for it.

Details of the study, including seven recommendations, are below. BMC Medicine.

Professor Christina Vogel, Director of the City Center for Food Policy, University of London, said: “Our research will help improve Healthy Start implementation efforts locally and nationally so that more families can benefit. “This highlights the importance of plans and methods that can be adjusted accordingly.” As health inequalities in the UK continue to widen, Healthy Start is a much-loved and valued scheme that helps give every child a chance. Get your life off to a great start. ”