Background:
Positive changes in maternal and child health must include development and promotion of consumer leadership to move the preconception health needs forward at the local and national level. African American women are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome and are in high need of culturally appropriate community-based services for infections, chronic diseases and behavioral health problems. The Healthy Start Initiative uses a multi-level approach to consumer leadership development among African American women and other women of color. This presentation includes a description of a comprehensive consumer approach that involves national, state, regional and local interventions. Healthy Start projects seek to continually promote consumer leadership in all levels of preconception health from health education, community outreach, advocacy, and policy.

Objectives:
1.Describe the community-based approach to consumer leadership and participation
2.Identify three strategies to promote consumer participation including health education, community outreach , and advocacy
3.Discuss the use of these models to reduce health disparities


Methods:
The Healthy Start program is based on the principles of community and consumer leadership. The aim of the program is to reduce health disparities in maternal and child health. During its 15 year program history, Healthy Start has developed effective strategies to increase consumer participation. These include local community consortia, community events and activities, community partnerships, education and training of consumers as program leaders and community advocates, recruitment of local residents as staff, and consumer participation in local state and national efforts to promote maternal and child health. The Pittsburgh Healthy Start project will be used as a case example.

Results:
Consumer leadership for preconception health results in increased referrals to appropriate services, early detection and prompt treatment. The consumer leadership also serves as advocacy for increased attention to social policies and increased funding promoting improved preconception health care.

Conclusion and implications for practice:
Consumer leadership development is key to increased consumer participation in preconception health interventions as well as social policy changes impacting funding and access to services.