Improving Maternal and Child Health in the Face of the Opioid Epidemic High rates of opioid use among pregnant women reflect an ongoing national epidemic. Improving both short and long-term health outcomes for moms and babies requires comprehensive care for the mother-baby dyad. Here, two experts share steps healthcare professionals can take, including addressing bias, supporting family-centered care, and connecting families with resources after they are discharged.
Spreading Safe Sleep Messages Across Tennessee Between 2013 and 2017, over 600 babies died in Tennessee from sleep-related causes. That’s more than 600 preventable infant deaths. And troublingly, sleep-related death rates are highest among families of color. Learn how the Tennessee Department of Health is implementing a multifaceted approach to ensure all families can learn about safe sleep practices and more babies can sleep safely. Read the article.
Pediatrics Partnering with Families: Three Ideas for Effective Partnership One of the most powerful partnerships for improving children’s health is the partnership between parents and pediatrics. When this partnership is successful, pediatric health professionals can support parents on multiple fronts—providing preventive care, advising parents on how to support their child’s social and emotional development and, when necessary, connecting families with supportive services and resources. Find three strategies to enhance this powerful partnership here.
June is a time to celebrate dads and the wonderful impact they have on the health of children and families. Read this recent article where NICHQ President and CEO Scott D. Berns, MD, MPA, FAAP, describes what we can do to help fathers support every stage of their children's lives and empower them as champions for children's health and well-being.
Happy Father's Day!
In Case You Missed It
Video on social emotional development: During the early years of life, children’s social emotional skills are developing right alongside their cognitive capabilities. In this short video, four experts define and explore social emotional development, and the impact of early relationships and experiences.
Metrics for Early Childhood: A National Scan: This report provides the results of a national scan of metrics used by early childhood systems and initiatives to assess the well-being of young children and their families. (Hint: it includes ten high-level recommendations on opportunities to advance measurement and data use.)
We’ve set our sights on raising $200,000 to celebrate our 20th anniversary by changing children’s lives. Help us reach our goal so that we can give all children a better start. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in our work to improve children’s health. Donate today!
National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ), 30 Winter Street, 6th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, United States, 617-391-2700