Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated to fight stigma, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness. We’ve put together an online collection of social media posts and graphics to outline the significant role mental health plays in overall health and wellness and promote better mental health for children, families, and caregivers. Make sure to tag @NICHQ so we can like and share your post!
We all likely know someone who has experienced mental illness. Yet there are still many harmful attitudes that fuel stigma and make it harder to reach out for help. Take the following quiz and test your #mentalhealth knowledge: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/quiz/index.htm
How can we help dads be the best fathers possible? Supporting their mental health is one way to start. Here, @NICHQ shares four strategies that health care providers and public health professionals can use to advocate for fathers’ #mentalhealth: https://www.nichq.org/insight/promoting-fathers-mental-health-during-childrens-early-childhood
Help eliminate stigma that creates barriers for those living with mental health conditions and support the health of children and families by taking the StigmaFree pledge: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree/StigmaFree-Me/StigmaFree-Pledge
We’ve put together an online collection of social media posts and graphics to raise awareness about life-saving transplants and the thousands of children waiting for one. Make sure to tag @NICHQ so we can like and share your post!
April 18-24, 2021
More than 160 million people are registered organ, eye, and tissue donors. Visit @DonateLife's website for materials and activities to help encourage Americans to register as a donor and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation. https://www.donatelife.net/
In 2020, more than 1,700 children received life-saving transplants. These numbers represent real children and families with experiences and stories of waiting for life-saving care. Share your pediatric transplant story to inspire improvement. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6208962/aHUS-pediatric-transplant-2021
April 2022
Although the #SUID rate has declined since 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue. Learn promising practices from #NICHQ to help reduce SIDS and drive change to close the racial disparity gap: https://bit.ly/3FwbrbC.
It's #NMHM22! Learn about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health, and the work needed to dismantle policies and practices that continue adversely affect maternal and child health outcomes. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
Understanding the history associated with the persistent health disparities impacting the Black community is a vital step toward dismantling policies and practices that continue to adversely affect Black maternal and child health outcomes.
Institutional racism—racism that began with the enslavement of Black people—was embedded in our earliest institutions, and has continued to influence policies and practices ever since.
This #NationalMinorityHealthMonth, learn more about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health and the ways we can work together to improve health outcomes for the Black community. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
Approximately 3,500 infants die from sleep-related causes every year and thousands of babies and mothers miss out on the benefits of continued exclusive breastfeeding.
Consistent, evidence-based advice, whether in a hospital or at home, could change these numbers, ultimately improving maternal and infant health outcomes, saving babies’ lives through preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes, and addressing the significant racial disparities associated with safe sleep and breastfeeding.
In recognition of Sleep Awareness Week 2021, we’ve put together an online collection of social media posts and graphics that promote evidence-based safe-sleep practices and raise awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related deaths. Make sure to tag @NICHQ so we can like and share your post!
March 14-20, 2021
Helping parents create a safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of SIDS and save thousands of babies. Learn about updated safe sleep guidelines here: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/138/5/e20162938.full.pdf
Babies who are breastfed or are fed expressed breastmilk are at lower risk for #SIDS compared with babies who were never fed breastmilk. Learn more on making safe infant sleep and breastfeeding a national norm: https://bit.ly/3xm0ZOK.#SIDSAwareness
How safe sleep savvy are you? This short interactive quiz can be used to engage caregivers in conversations about safe sleep and breastfeeding recommendations: https://www.nichq.org/resource/how-safe-sleep-savvy-are-you
Aug. 1-31, 2021
It's #BreastfeedingAwarenessMonth! Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals to help them grow big and strong! Here are some #NICHQ resources to help support breastfeeding mothers and birthing people. BITLY LINK
Babies who are breastfed or are fed expressed breastmilk are at lower risk for #SIDS compared with babies who were never fed breastmilk. Learn more on making safe infant sleep and breastfeeding a national norm: https://bit.ly/3xm0ZOK.#SIDSAwareness
Lower breastfeeding rates among Black women reflect historic and systemic #inequities. Here, read about a #breastfeeding peer-support network working to close the gap: https://bit.ly/2VvRIpU
Helping parents create a safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of SIDS and save thousands of babies. Share #NICHQ's Safe Infant Sleep Facts and Myths to work with parents and caregivers to reduce the risks #SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: https://bit.ly/2YMIY0D.
How safe sleep savvy are you? This short interactive quiz can be used to engage caregivers in conversations about safe sleep and breastfeeding recommendations: https://www.nichq.org/resource/how-safe-sleep-savvy-are-you
Aug. 1-31, 2021
The @CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that even during COVID-19, children continue to see their doctor for checkups and routinely recommended vaccinations. #VaccinesWork #CDC https://youtu.be/mOwTpLcy5co
Research has consistently shown that healthcare professionals are the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients. This #NAIM ensure patients are up to date on recommended vaccinations. Check out the @CDC's Vaccination Schedule here:
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder that is more prevalent in individuals of African and Latinx/Hispanic descent, affects approximately 100,000 Americans. People living with SCD experience acute pain crises, dangerous infections, and other serious health problems that can damage every organ in the body, requiring providers who are knowledgeable and understanding.
Join our efforts to bring attention to the unique experiences and challenges of people living with SCD and the variety of resources available to health care professionals! Use the hashtags #SickleCellMatters2021 and #SickleCellAwarenessMonth to help raise awareness on social media about sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, and check out the below learning opportunities, discussion guides, and other helpful tools and resources about sickle cell disease.
September 1 - 30, 2021
It's #SickleCellAwarenessMonth. Join #NICHQ in bringing attention to the unique experiences and challenges of people living with #SickleCellDisease and the variety of resources available to healthcare professionals! bit.ly/3DU1T9H
In honor of #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, #NICHQ published a new infographic for health professionals to share with patients with #SCD to better understand challenges and make getting to appointments easier. Download it here: https://bit.ly/3921XGl
In honor of #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, join #NICHQ for a webinar on 9/28 to learn how providers and #SickleCellDisease community-based organizations can work together to address appointment challenges for people living with SCD. Register: bit.ly/2X07EBx
A 2019 national study showed that a majority of patients, both children and adults, reported missing a clinic appointment. The bottom-line impact? A majority of patients with rare sickle cell disease (SCD) may miss out on therapies that have the potential to improve their health and quality of life.
Providers, advocates, and other healthcare professionals who work with people living with SCD can download and share #NICHQs new infographic to assist patients and caregivers in finding solutions and make getting to appointments easier. Download the infographic here: https://bit.ly/3921XGl
This #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, join the @National Institute for Children's Health Quality in bringing attention to the unique experiences and challenges of people living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and the variety of resources available to healthcare professionals!
As we push to enhance access to services for people living with SCD and improve and expand provider and patient education, NICHQ has published a variety of resources, including a #SickleCellDisease patient and caregiver infographic and conversation and facilitation guides! Check these out and more at bit.ly/3DU1T9H.
Join NICHQ on 9/28 for the latest webinar in a series on reducing missed SCD appointments: bit.ly/2X07EBx.
Community-based organizations play an important role in the lives of those living with SCD, and CBOs often have a positive influence on the patient/provider relationship. To ensure patients are maintaining critical appointments, providers and SCD CBOs can work together to improve relationships with patients and caregivers and find solutions to address appointment challenges.
Register today for @National Institute for Children's Health Quality's upcoming 9/28 webinar to learn strategies to improve patient and provider relationships and find solutions to missed SCD appointments: bit.ly/2X07EBx.
October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month—a time to take a fresh look at how we can educate parents and caregivers on reducing the risk of SIDS. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3,400 infants die each year in the United States of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID).
Oct. 1-31, 2021
How safe sleep savvy are you? This short interactive quiz can be used to engage caregivers in conversations about safe sleep and breastfeeding recommendations: https://www.nichq.org/resource/how-safe-sleep-savvy-are-you
Babies who are breastfed or are fed expressed breastmilk are at lower risk for #SIDS compared with babies who were never fed breastmilk. Learn more on making safe infant sleep and breastfeeding a national norm: https://bit.ly/3xm0ZOK.#SIDSAwareness
Providing more resources tailored to underserved populations experiencing higher rates of #SIDS can decrease preventable deaths. Learn promising practices from #NICHQ that can be used to reduce SIDS and drive community, state, and national change: https://bit.ly/3FwbrbC.
The official theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness and acknowledges the legacy of Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, as well as other health and wellness workers, such as birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, and herbalists.
The importance of understanding our nation’s exploitative history and its impact on modern-day inequities cannot be overstated. NICHQ is committed to uplifting and building on the incredible work of Black health and wellness practitioners as we work to address and eliminate disparities in maternal and child health.
February 1 2022 -February 28, 2022
This #BlackHistoryMonth we join, #NICHQ in celebrating the legacy of Black medical practitioners, birth workers, doulas, and midwives in honor of the 2022 Black History Month theme: Black Health and Wellness. Check out this collection of #NICHQ resources https://bit.ly/34RUsTo.
It's #NMHM22! Learn about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health, and the work needed to dismantle policies and practices that continue adversely affect maternal and child health outcomes. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
The results of Dr. Gaston’s study proved the effectiveness of giving children living with sickle cell disease (SCD) long-term penicillin treatment to prevent life-threatening infections. Her study showed that babies should be screened for SCD at birth, so that preventive penicillin could be given right away.
Thanks to Dr. Gaston's contributions, today, most states screen for SCD along with 29 of the 35 conditions recommended by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.
This #BlackHistoryMonth we join, #NICHQ in celebrating the legacy of Black medical practitioners, birth workers, doulas, and midwives in honor of the 2022 theme of Black History Month: Black Health and Wellness.
Most midwives, including enslaved women, drew upon traditional healing knowledge and practices passed down through generations.
Throughout the years, despite efforts to marginalize them by the medical establishment, Black midwives have continued to play a critical role in delivering babies and training the next generation of Black birthworkers.
This #BlackHistoryMonth we join, #NICHQ in celebrating the legacy of Black medical practitioners, birth workers, doulas, and midwives in honor of the 2022 theme of Black History Month: Black Health and Wellness.
Understanding the history associated with the persistent health disparities impacting the Black community is a vital step toward dismantling policies and practices that continue to adversely affect Black maternal and child health outcomes.
Institutional racism—racism that began with the enslavement of Black people—was embedded in our earliest institutions, and has continued to influence policies and practices ever since.
This #NationalMinorityHealthMonth, learn more about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health and the ways we can work together to improve health outcomes for the Black community. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
February is Black History Month - a time to honor the incredible contributions African-Americans have made to this country throughout its history.
In celebration of this year's official theme, Black Health and Wellness, we join #NICHQ in uplifting and building on the incredible work of Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, as well as other health and wellness workers, such as birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, and herbalists, as we work to address and eliminate disparities in maternal and child health.
Use this collection of #NICHQ resources to honor #BlackHistoryMonth and support the advancement of Black maternal and child health https://bit.ly/34RUsTo.
Use your organizational and personal social media to advocate for equity for those born with rare diseases. We’ve developed this online toolkit with ready-to-use graphics, images, and sample posts sharing key statistics and facts that illustrate the impact rare diseases have on more than 25 million American families and resources for public health professionals, providers, caregivers, advocates, patients, and families.
February 28, 2022
One in 20 people will live with a #raredisease at some point in their life. Spread knowledge about these conditions and raise awareness about the needs of those living with rare diseases: https://bit.ly/3sfUhKQ
#RareDiseaseDay
In honor of #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, check out #NICHQ's infographic for health professionals to share with patients with #SCD to better understand challenges and make getting to appointments easier. https://bit.ly/3921XGl
February 28th is Rare Disease Day! Did you know: there are over 6,000 different rare diseases and 70% of genetic rare diseases start in childhood.
People living with a rare disease need equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Share a photo to show solidarity with people
living with a rare disease in your community!
Share a photo with painted hands on social media using #RareDiseaseDay.
A 2019 national study showed that a majority of patients, both children and adults, reported missing a clinic appointment. The bottom-line impact? A majority of patients with rare sickle cell disease (SCD) may miss out on therapies that have the potential to improve their health and quality of life.
Providers, advocates, and other healthcare professionals who work with people living with SCD can download and share #NICHQs new infographic to assist patients and caregivers in finding solutions and make getting to appointments easier. Download the infographic here: https://bit.ly/3921XGl
Working together, public health professionals, clinicians, and birth workers can help save the lives of more than 3,500 infants each year who die from sleep-related causes. The first step to preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths is to understand and promote the most up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations for safe infant sleep.
Every new person who learns about safe infant sleep is one more person who can promote safe infant sleep guidelines. This National Sleep Awareness Month, join NICHQ in raising awareness about the importance of creating safe sleep environments. Whether in a hospital setting or at home, promoting safe sleep and breastfeeding practices can reduce these numbers, ultimately improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
In recognition of Sleep Awareness Week 2022, we’ve put together an online collection of social media posts and graphics that promote evidence-based safe-sleep practices and raise awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related deaths. Make sure to tag @NICHQ so we can like and share your post!
Although the #SUID rate has declined since 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue. Learn promising practices from #NICHQ to help reduce SIDS and drive change to close the racial disparity gap: https://bit.ly/3FwbrbC.
How safe sleep savvy are you? This short interactive quiz from #NICHQ can be used to engage caregivers in conversations about safe infant sleep and breastfeeding/chestfeeding recommendations: https://www.nichq.org/resource/how-safe-sleep-savvy-are-you
While the country's rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has dropped by more than 50 percent over the past two decades, SIDS continues to claim the lives of about 1,500 U.S. infants each year.
This #SleepAwarenessWeek, join the #NICHQ in raising awareness about the importance of creating a safe sleep environment.
Providers, healthcare professionals, and advocates can use this short, interactive quiz to engage caregivers in conversations about safe sleep and breastfeeding recommendations. English: https://bit.ly/3zp3wcD. | Spanish: https://bit.ly/2YuKfc8
Although the #SUID rate has declined since 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue.
SUID rates among American Indian/Alaska Native and Black infants are more than twice those of non-Hispanic white infants.
By helping to eliminate persistent but avoidable disparities in SIDS rates, addressing unsafe sleep practices with underserved populations can reduce infant mortality for all.
This #SleepAwarenessWeek watch #NICHQ's webinar featuring a series of role-playing exercises demonstrating tactics to engage families from different backgrounds in meaningful conversations about safe sleep. https://bit.ly/3FwbrbC.
The purpose of World Doula Week (WDW) is to empower doulas all over the world to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women and birthing people, newborns, and families in birth and in the postpartum period.
March 22 - 28, 2022
This #WorldDoulaWeek, join us in honoring #Doulas and the key role they play in ensuring women and birthing people from all communities feel supported with important information and resources during and after pregnancy.
Did you know: Birth doulas are available to help create a safe and positive environment for laboring women and birthing people and can assist in a wide variety of birthing situations? Follow @WorldDoulaWeek to learn more about the impact of doulas in #MCH!
It's #WorldDoulaWeek!
While the professional title of “doula” may be relatively new, the support that doulas provide has been a key piece of childbirth throughout history. For centuries, people gave birth surrounded by people within their communities who had already been through childbirth and could provide helpful support.
This week, we join in honoring the important contributions #Doulas make in the maternal and child health field and celebrating the voices of non-traditional birthworkers who are making an impact and ensuring mothers and birthing people are provided with the essential care required during pregnancy and delivery.
April 2022
Although the #SUID rate has declined since 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue. Learn promising practices from #NICHQ to help reduce SIDS and drive change to close the racial disparity gap: https://bit.ly/3FwbrbC.
It's #NMHM22! Learn about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health, and the work needed to dismantle policies and practices that continue adversely affect maternal and child health outcomes. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
Understanding the history associated with the persistent health disparities impacting the Black community is a vital step toward dismantling policies and practices that continue to adversely affect Black maternal and child health outcomes.
Institutional racism—racism that began with the enslavement of Black people—was embedded in our earliest institutions, and has continued to influence policies and practices ever since.
This #NationalMinorityHealthMonth, learn more about the impact of institutional racism on maternal and child health and the ways we can work together to improve health outcomes for the Black community. Read more from #NICHQ at https://bit.ly/3rKKRH0.
June 19th is officially designated as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. The international awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder that is more prevalent in individuals of African and Latinx/Hispanic descent, affects approximately 100,000 Americans, and Sickle Cell Trait affects an estimated 2 million people. People living with SCD experience acute pain crises, dangerous infections, and other serious health problems that can damage every organ in the body, requiring providers who are knowledgeable and understanding.
Join our efforts to bring attention to the unique experiences and challenges of people living with SCD and the variety of resources available to health care professionals!
June 19, 2022
It's #WorldSickleCellDay! Providers, advocates, and other healthcare professionals who work with people living with SCD can download and share this helpful infographic from #NICHQ to better understand challenges and facilitate conversations with patients. https://bit.ly/3921XGl
June 19, 2022
This #WorldSickleCellDay, help people living with #SickleCellDisease combat missed appointments with resources from #NICHQ, including a patient and caregiver infographic and conversation guides for providers & community-based organizations. https://bit.ly/39bkpzX
The infant mortality rate is an important marker of the well-being of infants, children, and pregnant people because it is associated with a variety of factors, such as maternal health, quality and access to health services and medical technology, poverty and socioeconomic conditions, community health, and public health practices.
As public health professionals, physicians, and many other types of birthing care providers, together we can reduce infant mortality rates by focusing on social determinants of health, newborn screening and early access to treatment and care for rare diseases, and prevention of preterm and early term births.
September 1 – 30, 2022
When newborn babies are screened for as many as 61 different health conditions, they can benefit from early treatment or intervention, resulting in better long-term health outcomes. This #NIMAM, learn more about newborn screening here: https://bit.ly/3AKO8cE
All babies should have the opportunity to celebrate their first birthday. This interactive @NICHQ toolkit features change ideas, case studies, videos, and insights from teams who are working to reduce #InfantMortality throughout the country. #NIMAM https://bit.ly/3Qn7FWr
Early and preterm births (less than 37 weeks gestation, PTB) are a leading cause of #InfantMortality and morbidity. Read a @NICHQ case study about states' Efforts to Address Preterm Birth Rates. https://bit.ly/3RkEqEN
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder that is more prevalent in individuals of African and Latinx/Hispanic descent, affects approximately 100,000 Americans. People living with SCD experience acute pain crises, dangerous infections, and other serious health problems that can damage every organ in the body, requiring providers who are knowledgeable and understanding.
September 1 – 30, 2022
It's #SickleCellAwarenessMonth. Join #NICHQ in bringing attention to the unique experiences and challenges of people living with #SickleCellDisease and the variety of resources available to healthcare professionals! https://bit.ly/45DsLbx
In honor of #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, check out #NICHQ's infographic for health professionals to share with patients with #SCD to better understand challenges and make getting to appointments easier. https://bit.ly/3921XGl