Hunger, Nutrition & Health in Pregnancy Action Network
Working to improve nutrition and health outcomes from preconception through early childhood
Our Vision and Mission
The Hunger, Nutrition & Health in Pregnancy Action Network grew out of this work to specifically activate partners interested in mobilizing around the unique needs and importance of nutrition before, during and after pregnancy.
Vision
All babies are born into healthy, well-nourished communities.
Mission
To improve nutrition and health outcomes from preconception through early childhood. We do this by uniting organizations to leverage their strengths and resources, creating collaborative action opportunities., well-nourished communities.
Our Values
Centering Lived Experience
Elevating the voices and perspectives of individuals, particularly those who face adverse conditions, to inform and guide our work.
Facilitating Cross-Boundary Communication
Fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse groups, sectors, and communities.
Harnessing the Power of Partnerships
Amplifying impact through collaboration, self-organization, and meaningful partnerships.
Demonstrating Impact Through Collaboration
Showcasing measurable outcomes achieved by working together.
Advancing Evidence-Informed Policies
Driving change through policies grounded in research and evidence.
Current HNH in Pregnancy Action Network Partners:
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP)
Birthing Beautiful Communities
CDC Foundation
Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA)
Institute for Natural Medicine
March of Dimes
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National WIC Association
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness
SNAP-Ed
Vitamix Foundation
Member Spotlight
Mandy Burns
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
- Moore Institute of Nutrition & Wellness
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Population health
- Improving wellness and outcomes
- Community awareness and engagement
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
To be a part of growing and building a nationwide network where our communities and their priorities are at the forefront, and as a collective we foster collaboration to improve health and wellness outcomes as a whole.
Krista Lumpkins-Howard
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Birthing Beautiful Communities
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Systemic inequalities in healthcare access and maternal/child health resources for black and brown birthing persons.
- Connecting families to the resources and support they need.
- Train culturally competent doulas to provide continuous support pregnancy-postpartum.
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
By focusing on systemic issues and fostering collaboration, we are setting the stage for significant and hopeful change in maternal and child nutrition for all birthing persons with additional education and support for Black and Brown birthing persons.
Kristal Dali, MPH
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS)
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Support Healthy Starts Projects to improve health outcomes for pregnant people
- Technical assistance to support organizations working with community to improve health and social service systems to reduce maternal and infant health disparities
- Implement nutrition strategies in program design and strategy
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
I hope to underscore how important nutrition is before, during and after pregnancy to improve infant mortality and adverse perinatal outcomes, promote HRSA MCHB programs centering the nutritional well-being of maternal and child populations across the life course, and work collaboratively among sectors to ensure nutrition is prioritized for pregnant women and their families.
Michelle Simon, PhD, ND
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Institute for Natural Medicine
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Bringing whole-person health mainstream
- Developing research into whole-person health models of care
- Delivering childhood nutritional education through our award-winning 4th grade program, Naturally Well.
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
I hope the Action Network will develop and deliver on the strategies to enhance nutrition for expectant mothers and young children, thereby addressing a key factor contributing to chronic diseases in the United States.
Ellisa Alvarez
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Advancing food security initiatives with a cultural and social justice lens
- Strengthening transformative partnerships for community-rooted evidence
- Driving policy innovation for housing and food insecurity
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
My hope for participating in this Action Network is to further advance culturally inclusive and community-engaged food security initiatives that can be adapted across various public health sectors, while also learning how to support and collaborate with others engaged in this work.
Rachel Ferencik
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- CDC Foundation
- Hunger, Nutrition and Health Action Collaborative
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Food and nutrition security
- Food systems change
- Reducing diet-related diseases
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
I want to be a part of a strong network of like-minded individuals who are working to improve the lives of moms and their young children through plentiful, healthy food.
Natalie Haynes
linkedin profile
What Organizations do you represent?
- Vitamix Foundation
3 key Areas of Focus for your work?
- Maternal and Child (0-5) Nutrition and Health
- Educating Healthcare professionals
- Increasing the Access, Knowledge, and Enjoyment of Healthy Foods
What are your hopes for your participation in this Action Network?
I hope to leverage our resources and network to connect leaders across sectors impacting maternal and child nutrition to the people, resources, and ideas that will amplify the solutions making a difference.
HNH IN Pregnancy LinkedIn Group
No one group can do this work alone. We want to help create the conditions for successful collaboration so we can align our strengths and resources to move this important work forward!
Visit LinkedIn Group