Author: gruponexos

Sports, wellness, and public health: A social responsibility

Grupo Nexos’ commitment to support students in Vega Baja, bringing together sports, emotional well-being, and public health.

Organizations aim to transform how men in Puerto Rico care for their emotional health

During Men’s Health Month, “Los Hombres También” initiative launches to open conversations about well-being, self-care, and masculinity.

Art, community, and learning

Grupo Nexos advances its commitment to education and the arts at the Pablo Casals School

2024 Annual Report

2024 Annual Report: a look at our impact, partnerships and results advancing mental health and community well-being in Puerto Rico.

Transforming the response to the opioid crisis

PAICO-PR, an effort to transform the response to the opioid crisis in Puerto Rico, expanding access to evidence-based and effective treatments.

Data as an advocacy tool

How Puerto Rico’s nonprofit sector builds the case for financial sustainability.

Specialized panel registration: Strategies for financial sustainability

Register for our expert panel on financial sustainability. Learn data-driven strategies to strengthen nonprofits beyond government funding.

[Article] Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico: A Community-Based Network of Care

Originally published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2025.

Comienzo Saludable IJERPH paper

Abstract

Maternal and newborn health disparities remain a challenge in Puerto Rico, especially in underserved communities. Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Start Initiative (HRSA), addresses these gaps through an integrated Networks of Care model known as Cuidado Compartido. Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico is a maternal, paternal, and child health program aimed at improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, mothers, fathers, newborns, and children in Puerto Rico, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.

Methods: This paper presents the Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico program’s Cuidado Compartido model to integrate a network of healthcare providers and services across hospitals, community organizations, and families. This model aims to improve maternal and newborn/child health outcomes by focusing on the importance of integrated, hospital-community-based care networks. Results: Participants experienced significant improvements in key birth outcomes: low birth weight prevalence declined by 27.2% compared to the community baseline, premature birth rates decreased by 30.9%, and infant mortality dropped by 75%, reaching 0% by 2021 and remaining there through 2023. These results were complemented by increases in maternal mental health screening, paternal involvement, and breastfeeding practices.

Conclusions: The Cuidado Compartido model demonstrates a scalable, culturally responsive strategy to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. It offers critical insights for implementation in other high-need contexts.

Citation: Acosta-P.rez, E.; D.az, C.; G.mez-Reyes, A.; Vega, S.; Noboa Ramos, C.; Justinianes-P.rez, R.; Ferran, G.; Carnivali-Garc.a, J.; Grau, F.J.; Sardi.as, L.M.; et al. Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico: A Community-Based Network of Care to Improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Outcomes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 1204. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081204

From challenge to partnership: Latino community organizations lead a conversation on sustainable funding models

Expert analysis revealed that 60 – 80% of nonprofits face financial risk if government funding is lost, with Puerto Rico showing 84% vulnerability rate.

Serving Latino Communities in Uncertain Times

Join us in DC or online to explore how nonprofits can respond to federal funding shifts impacting Latino communities. Registration is required.