A little-noticed provision in health reform legislation -- though luckily noticed by our colleagues over at New America's Early Education program -- could send nurses to the homes of low-income mothers and mothers-to-be. It would scale up a flegling progams that randomized and controlled studies, have shown improve women's and children's health and well-being and can reduce health care costs in the long run.

Lisa Guernsey wrote about it at the Early Ed Watch blog. Read her post for all the details (although of course the congressional process part of health reform has already shifted ahead a bit in the few hours since she wrote) but basically states would get grants to pay for the home visits.  

Evidence has accumulated that these programs can pay off. Lisa cited a recent study by Child Trends, which showed that cognitive abilities decline in infants raised in high-poverty conditions. Disparities show up as early as 9 months of age, and by age two the difference is more pronounced.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published commentary last month by James A. Mercy and Janet Saul, two researchers at the National Center for Injury and Prevention. They stressed that helping very young children gives them a chance for better cognitive skills and school performance, and can also make a profound difference in their long-term health. As Lisa wrote, "The article reiterates the findings of the Nurse-Family Partnership, one of the most often cited models for home visitation programs, which has been shown to reduce abuse and injury, improve cognitive and social skills and return economic dividends to society over time."

Good education and good health we know -- and recent work by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Commission to Build a Healthier America  has re-enforced this -- go hand in hand. If this measures ends up in the final health reform legislation, it could boost both.