# Evaluation of the Florida Newborn Screening Program Education Campaign

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how well Florida's newborn screening education campaign reached and informed pregnant women, finding that most learned about it through health professionals or media.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the effectiveness of a statewide educational campaign for newborn screening and highlights areas for improvement.

## Key findings

- 85.3% of mothers discussed newborn screening with health professionals.
- Over 50% learned about the program through health facilities or media.
- The study emphasizes the need for better outreach and professional communication.

## Abstract

Florida’s Newborn Screening Program campaign aims to increase the awareness and participation of birthing facilities, providers, and parents. This evaluation aimed to determine the effectiveness and reach of the Newborn Screening Program (NBS) Statewide Educational Campaign to pregnant women through surveys and focus groups. The online survey, conducted throughout Florida in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, evaluated the reach and effectiveness of educational materials such as paid advertisements and brochures. The surveys also served to recruit participants for in-person focus groups throughout the state. The findings showed that 85.3% of the mothers had discussions with health professionals about the screening program, while others did not hear about it from health professionals. More than 50% of the respondents learned about the program through health facilities, with additional exposure from media platforms such as television, radio, and friends. This study shows the need for increased outreach of the campaign and better communication and education from medical professionals to increase awareness.