[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
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The effects of mindfulness and psychological capital on reducing worker stress and promoting health
Peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health.
Israel Sánchez-Cardona, Lili M. Sardiñas, Eric A. Rivera-Colón, Camille Vélez Alamo, Brian A. Moore & Marizada Sánchez-Cesareo (06 Nov 2024): The effects of mindfulness and psychological capital on reducing worker stress and promoting health, Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, DOI: 10.1080/15555240.2024.24254312024. The effects of mindfulness and psychological capital on reducing worker stress and promoting health.
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