Linking WIC and immunization services to improve preventive health care among low-income children in WIC.

Abstract

Children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are at risk for low immunization coverage and other adverse health-related outcomes. Immunization-promoting strategies in WIC have been shown to produce dramatic improvements in immunization coverage. This evaluation of a local WIC initiative in Milwaukee is the first study to evaluate the impact of these strategies on improving the utilization of other clinical preventive services at the medical home. The use of more intensive immunization-promoting strategies in WIC may improve utilization of well child care visits and receipt of other clinical preventive services in the medical home.