SCOPE Fellows ADVANCE PARTNERSHIPS & Mental health work

What happens when trusted faith leaders join forces with community health workers to improve the health of mothers and babies? The LAUNCH (Leading Advancements for the Uptake of Newborn and Community Health) project explored  that question in Ethiopia, pairing Ethiopian Orthodox priests with Health Development Army (HDA) members to promote healthier practices during pregnancy and early infancy. 

At its first dissemination meeting in Addis Ababa in May 2026, the SCOPE team shared findings showing that these partnerships were feasible and improved some health behaviors, including exclusive breastfeeding for newborns. The findings also highlighted that education alone is not enough to achieve broader health improvements. Successful implementation requires adequate training and supervision, strong referral services, government support, and sustainable funding.

Building on these findings, the team met in August 2026 to plan LAUNCH’s next phase: a follow-up study examining whether priests and HDA members continued collaborating after the trial ended. The team is refining the study protocol and tools for IRB submission. By identifying what sustains these partnerships, SCOPE aims to help translate research into lasting, community-driven improvements in maternal, newborn, and infant health across Ethiopia.