EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC OPINION POLL

The Urban Child Institute and the University of Memphis Survey Research Center have conducted public opinion polls from 2003-2008. These polls assess opinions that Memphis and Shelby County residents have on a range of early childhood issues. These issues include the following: (1) early brain development, (2) early childhood initiatives, (3) day and child care rating systems, (4) child safety in motor vehicles, (5) preventive measures for shaken-baby syndrome and sudden infant death syndrome, (6) healthy pregnancy promotion, (7) breastfeeding and infant formula, and (8) healthcare coverage.

2008 Public Opinion Poll Results  

2003 - 2007 Public Opinion Poll Summary 

2003 - 2006 Public Opinion Poll Summary  

BLUES PROJECT

The Blues Project is a three-year project designed to be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to current programs aimed at reducing infant mortality. The Blues Project adapts and merges the best aspects of both traditional clinic-based prenatal classes and nurse home visitation services. The program features clinic-based one-on-one (individual) and group visits for pregnant women and fathers of infants from onset of prenatal care until the infant's second birthday. Individual sessions are offered daily and group sessions are offered twice per month at each of three clinic locations: Memphis Health Center and Christ Community Health Centers.

CANDLE STUDY

The primary goal of the CANDLE study is to study the factors that affect brain development in young children. To this end, the current study will test specific hypotheses regarding factors that may negatively influence cognitive development in children. Participants in this cohort study will include 1,500 mother-child dyads, recruited during the second trimester of pregnancy and followed from birth to age 3. Data on a wide range of possible influences on children's cognitive outcomes will be collected from numerous sources, including questionnaires, interviews, psychosocial assessments, medical chart abstraction, environmental samples from the child's home environment, blood and urine samples from the mother, cord blood, and placental tissue. The primary outcomes of the current study are those associated with a poor cognitive outcome in the child. Outcomes will be measured using standardized cognitive assessments conducted at 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months of age. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory-based research may be undertaken using data from the project, with sub-studies including, but not limited to, molecular genetics, environmental exposure assessments, and micronutrient deficiency analyses. Results of this cohort study may provide information that will ultimately lead to improvements in the health, development, and well-being of children in Shelby County, Tennessee through interventions and policy enforcement and/or development. Full participant recruitment and complete data collection began in November 2006.

TEAM PLAY

This randomized controlled trial is designed to determine whether an intense 6 month family-centered intervention to increase physical activity and healthy eating patterns, primarily directed at parents, will be significantly more successful in controlling weight in overweight/obese children ages 4-7 years, than an enhanced standard of care at 2 years after enrollment. The intervention group (120-140 children with a BMI > 85% percentile) will receive intense counseling regarding developmentally appropriate physical activity, strategies for reducing sedentary behaviors, nutritional counseling, and behavioral counseling including a self-management program to use with their children at home. The group will meet once a week for the initial 8 weeks, biweekly for 8 weeks, and monthly for 2 months. Following this period (the next 6 months), a case manager will call the family on a monthly basis and the family will be sent educational and support information by mail. The control group (120-140 children with a BMI > 85% percentile) will receive an enhanced standard of care provided by their pediatrician. All children will have a medical history, physical examination, and anthropometric measures, nutritional assessment, measurement of physical activity, and psychosocial measures. Outcome measurements will be done at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

PARTICIPATE IN CANDLE STUDY

The University of Tennessee is seeking women who are less than 28 weeks (7 months) pregnant, have a low-risk pregnancy, and live in Shelby County to participate in the CANDLE Study of Early Childhood Learning & Development. Women who join the CANDLE study will continue to receive prenatal care and education from their own obstetrician and will not be asked to take any study medications or change any of their eating or health habits. Moms will receive $500 in gifts cards during study. For more information, or to find out if you are eligible, call 901-448-8400.

» Download the CANDLE flyer for distribution.