overnor Lawton Chiles and Lt. Governor Buddy MacKay believe every child deserves a healthy start in life. Throughout their distinguished service as Florida's Governor and Lt. Governor, the Chiles/MacKay team worked with communities to build strong local coalitions to provide high-quality prenatal care for mothers and health care for children.

Healthy Start was born in 1991 when the Governor and First Lady convened a group of community leaders and challenged them to build local coalitions to reduce Florida's alarmingly high infant mortality rate. Healthy Start builds on Governor Chiles' experience as chairman of the National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality and helps at-risk mothers receive the care they need for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Between 1991 and 1998, Healthy Start helped more than 1 million women and infants and Florida's infant mortality rate has dropped dramatically. In 1997, Florida's infant mortality rate fell to an all-time low of 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, a decline of 26 percent since 1990.

Women beginning prenatal care during the first trimester rose from 75 percent in 1991 to 83 percent in 1997. And the low birth weight rate decreased 20 to 40 percent among the high-risk women receiving Healthy Start services.

Healthy Start is just one example of how the Chiles/MacKay team's sharp focus on prevention worked to save the state costly medical bills later. Every dollar spent in prenatal care generated savings of $3 in short-term hospital costs.

In 1998, there were 31 Healthy Start coalitions that worked with Florida's health care community to ensure quality care for moms and babies. These coalitions have become influential voices speaking out on behalf of Florida's children and families.