Nurse home visiting (NHV) is widely implemented to address inequities in child and maternal health. However, few studies have examined longer-term effectiveness or delivery within universal healthcare systems. This article evaluates the benefits of an Australian NHV program (“right@home”) in promoting children’s language and learning, general and mental health, maternal mental health and wellbeing and parenting and family relationships at child ages 4 and 5 years.

The randomised controlled trial of NHV was delivered via universal, child and family health services (the comparator). Mothers in the intervention arm were offered 25 nurse home visits of 60–90 minutes, commencing antenatally and continuing until children’s second birthdays.

At 4 and 5 years, outcomes were assessed via parent interview and direct assessment of children’s language and learning (receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, attention, and executive function). Outcomes were compared between intervention and usual care arms using adjusted regression with robust estimation to account for nurse/site. 

Estimated group differences showed an overall pattern favouring the intervention. Statistical evidence of benefits was found across child and maternal mental health and wellbeing, parenting and family relationships.

The paper concludes that an Australian NHV program promoted longer-term family functioning and wellbeing for women experiencing adversity. NHV can offer an important component of a proportionate universal system that delivers support and intervention relative to need.