Reach Out and Read The Science Sessions: Reach Out and Read Impact Study
Sep 7, 2023
Dr. Marny Dunlap, a pediatric professor and medical director at Reach Out and Read Oklahoma, and Callee Boulware, regional director for the Carolinas, discuss groundbreaking findings from their impact study. They reveal how exposure to the program increases caregiver reading frequency and interactive behaviors with children. The conversation highlights surprising outcomes, such as strong clinician commitment and scalable implementation. They also touch on the link between early reading and mitigating toxic stress, emphasizing the need for continued investment in early literacy initiatives.
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Large-Scale Real-World Evidence
- The study analyzed ~100,000 parent responses across diverse clinic types between 2014–2019, showing real-world Reach Out and Read implementation.
- This large, multi-site sample strengthens confidence in the program's measured effects.
How The Survey Was Collected
- Deliver surveys after the well visit and collect them centrally to measure caregiver behavior reliably.
- Use consistent, periodic windows (e.g., six weeks annually) to gather comparable data over time.
Measuring Interaction, Not Just Frequency
- The survey asked about both reading frequency and interactive behaviors like letting the child turn pages and making up stories.
- These interaction items tapped into early relational health, not just book access.