SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) works to improve health through better
nutrition, increased physical activity and
decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure.
Health care is a key area in which SHIP works to
improve health.
• Because of SHIP, 73 health care institutions
are now working to support breastfeeding.
Nine counties work together to get
kids off to a healthy start
One area where health care clinics can help make
huge strides toward a lifetime of good health is with
new families. Breastfeeding is important for the health
of both the baby and the mother. Breastfed babies
are at a lower risk for many health problems, such as
ear and respiratory infections, diarrhea, asthma and
obesity, and mothers who breastfeed are less likely to
develop diabetes or breast or ovarian cancer.
Early education from clinics and hospitals for new
mothers has proven crucial to successful breastfeeding.
In west-central Minnesota, nine counties have combined
to make breastfeeding the norm for area women.
Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens,
Traverse, and Wilkin Counties and ten hospitals
worked together to form the Golden Start Initiative,
educating patients prenatally about the benefits of
breastfeeding and promoting timely follow-up and
support for new mothers.
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
With the help of SHIP, Golden Start Initiative provided
evidence-based education to over 300 health care
providers. About 200 healthcare clinicians have
taken part in one of three 3-day trainings provided
by Evergreen Perinatal Education, an internationally
known lactation education resource. In addition, 14
nurses have been trained to provide educational
opportunities in their own workplaces by taking part in
a 5-day train-the-trainer course.
According to Kristy Fremstad, RN, at Sanford Health in
Fargo, “Since the staff education that has come from
being a part of Golden Start…, our moms come to us
so much more prepared to breastfeed their babies.”
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SHIP is working to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in Minnesota. Find out how at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship