What the study found
The study found that Healthy Eating and Active Living Taught at Home (HEALTH), an evidence-based intervention embedded in Parents as Teachers home visiting, had strong acceptability but gaps in accessibility and usage during COVID-19. The authors frame this as mixed coverage across the intervention.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these findings can inform dissemination and implementation strategies to increase HEALTH coverage. They also say the results offer insights into service delivery during COVID-19 and into strategies for evidence-based interventions in community settings.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted descriptive analyses using baseline data and home visitor documentation from the HEALTH dissemination and implementation study during COVID-19. They measured coverage using an adapted framework based on RE-AIM and Shengelia et al., including accessibility, acceptability, and usage.
What worked and what didn't
Accessibility was incomplete: 67% of home visitors made at least one referral to HEALTH, while 33% made none, and the average number of referrals was 2.05. Acceptability was relatively strong, with 80% of mothers reporting satisfaction. Usage was more limited: mothers averaged 13.91 visits, but on average only 39% of all 24 lessons, 66% of the eight core lessons, and 33% of the handouts were delivered; only 26% of mothers received all eight core lessons.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes descriptive analyses from one HEALTH dissemination and implementation study conducted during COVID-19, so the findings are limited to that context. The summary does not describe additional limitations beyond the coverage gaps reported.
Key points
- HEALTH showed strong acceptability: 80% of mothers were satisfied.
- Referral coverage was incomplete: 67% of home visitors made at least one referral, but 33% made none.
- Delivery of HEALTH content was limited, with 39% of all lessons delivered on average.
- Only 26% of mothers received all 8 core HEALTH lessons.
- The authors say the findings can inform implementation strategies to improve coverage.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- HEALTH coverage was strong for acceptability but limited for referral and delivery
- Authors:
- Amanda Gilbert, Debra Haire‐Joshu, Alexandra B. Morshed, Cynthia D. Schwarz, Allison Kemner, Rachel G. Tabak
- Institutions:
- Emory University, Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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