The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61707

Nancy Arnold, MPH¹, Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH¹, and Kate Bartley, BA². (1) Raising Readers, MaineHealth, PO Box 17826, Portland, ME 04112, (207) 541-7560, arnoln@mmc.org, (2) Eastern Maine Healthcare, 489 State Street, PO Box 404, Bangor, ME 04402

Raising Readers is a statewide program that seeks to improve the health status of Maine youth by assuring their exposure to high-quality children's literature prior to entering school. Research in brain development supports the relationship between early literacy experiences and the growth of neurologic structures used for reading. Children with limited exposure to books are less likely to learn to read successfully. An inability to read has been linked to school failure, increased dropout rates, early pregnancy, substance abuse and high-risk behaviors.

Raising Readers represents a partnership between the largest health system in Maine (MaineHealth) and a Maine-based philanthropy (the Libra Foundation). The mission of Raising Readers is to: 1) provide high quality hardcover books to all children, regardless of means, at birth and each well-child visit up to age 5; 2) educate clinicians about the impact of early literacy on health; 3) address the literacy needs of parents through a collaboration with health providers and literacy experts. Through this program, each Maine child receives a dozen books prior to beginning school. In addition to providing children with books at well-child visits, Raising Readers clinicians encourage parents to enjoy reading regularly to their children, model positive reading behavior, and support parental efforts to improve their own literacy.

Although it has been in place only two years, Raising Readers is now working with 85% of the state's health care providers who see young children, and is providing books to 90% of children birth to age 5. Other states have taken note of this model as well: Wyoming has just launched Raising Readers Wyoming, and other states are considering similar programs. Raising Readers is truly unique in its approach, acceptance rate, and adaptability.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the link between literacy development and a healthy childhood.
• List 4 characteristics that link parental practices using children's books to healthy development.
• Describe the benefits of community based collaboration among competing health care delivery systems.
• Describe the use of children's books in anticipatory guidance during regular well child health visits.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Literacy

Related Web page: www.raisingreaders.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Libra Foundation MaineHealth Eastern Maine Healthcare
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Libra Foundation--grant from MaineHealth--employed by