Getting Healthy Zone & Healthy Start
Did you know that in Lucas County, the infant mortality rate is 3x higher for African
American babies compared to white babies? The Human Trafficking and Social Justice
Institute is working to answer this question and close the gap on this social justice
issue.
Getting Healthy Zone (GHZ) aims to improve infant vitality in seven urban Toledo census
tracts. Built on the Best Babies Zone approach, GHZ mobilizes residents and organizational partners to address the social, structural
and economic determinants of health and promote health equity.
The HTSJI partners with the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to evaluate the Getting
Healthy Zone project. Dr. Celia Williamson serves as the primary investigator on the
project. The Getting Healthy Zone project will be entering its fourth year beginning
summer 2021.
Toledo Lucas County Healthy Start provides programming centered on reducing infant
mortality in the African American population. Efforts include parent education, reproductive
life planning, breastfeeding support, enrolling in health insurance, safe sleep education,
smoking cessation, well baby care and vaccinations, community linkages, and assistance
with social services.
The HTSJI partners with the Toledo Lucas County Health Department to evaluate Healthy
Start. Dr. Celia Williamson serves as the primary investigator on the project. Monica
Klonowksi, M.A., serves as the research associate on the project. The HTSJI has provided
qualitative evaluation to Healthy Start for over five years.