A healthy start has an impact for life
A healthy start is not a given for every child. For example, 43.8% of women drink alcohol in the four weeks before pregnancy and 6.3% of women smoke during pregnancy. Nearly 1 in 5 women experience depressive symptoms after pregnancy. A child exposed to smoke, alcohol or chronic stress during this phase starts life at a disadvantage. More than 80% of (expectant) parents expect healthcare providers to raise these topics—and this can be done quickly and effectively.
Identifying, discussing and referring: this is how you can make a difference
The Trimbos Institute is launching the Healthy Start programme, which brings together the themes of Smoke-Free Start, Alcohol-Free Start and Mentally Healthy Start. With practical tools, knowledge and training, Healthy Start supports healthcare providers in identifying, discussing and referring. We also offer support for collaboration across the care chain, for example through sample care pathways.
Getting started with Healthy Start
View the most important tools from the Trimbos Institute’s range by theme:
- Smoke-free: Learn in the free, accredited Smoke-Free Start e-learning course how to give brief and effective cessation advice. Also use the conversation cards with example phrases.
- Alcohol-free: Read the factsheet about alcohol use before pregnancy and watch the explainer video.
- Mental health: View the toolkit for preventing postpartum depression and learn how to make mental health open for discussion. Using a step-by-step plan and sample care pathway, you will learn how to make agreements about this within your organisation or partnership.
Want to know more?
View the full range at Gezondestart.nl.