Black History Month 2024
February is Black History Month. Join the National Institute for Children's Health Quality in honoring the many contributions of Black health professionals to the U.S. healthcare system, this month and beyond!
Join NICHQ in Honoring Black History Month 2024
In recognition of Black History Month, we join in uplifting and building on the incredible work of Black medical professionals who contributed to establishing nursing schools, hospitals, and clinics to provide spaces for Black people to get quality health care. As we honor their legacies and many contributions to improve the U.S. healthcare system, join NICHQ in shining a light on the impact of racism on maternal and child health outcomes – this month and beyond.
The health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and their families are negatively impacted by racism embedded within structures, institutions, relationships, and environments. Read more from the National Academy of Medicine about Acknowledging Structural Racism's Direct and Negative Impact on Health.
Resources for Health Professionals
Clinical care providers, public health professionals, educators, and community advocates can view the below resources to learn how to better support Black mothers, birthing people, and families as they navigate unique challenges in the health care system.
INSIGHT | Four Steps to Address Racism’s Impact on Maternal and Child Health
Racism has been baked into U.S. systems and structures since enslavement, and Black families and other people of color are still suffering its consequences. Read this helpful insight from NICHQ for strategies to help those working in MCH better address and respond to the effects of racism.
RECORDING | The Equity Exchange: The State of DEI
Last month, NICHQ launched The Equity Exchange, a new, equity-focused virtual event series. Our first Exchange focused on the “state of DEI,” and introduced the Equity Systems Continuum, an evidence-based framework for examining racism in organizational systems. Stacy Scott, Ph.D., MPA, VP of Health Equity Innovation at NICHQ, hosted a conversation with guests about strategies that individuals and organizations can use to improve their equity practices.
PODCAST | Before Birth & Beyond
NICHQ's podcast series, Before Birth & Beyond, provides health professionals with insight into important equity topics such as Black maternal health, maternal mental health, engaging fathers in your work, inviting and including family partners, and more! Listen to past episodes, and subscribe to be notified when new episodes become availbe.
This year, NICHQ launched a new podcast, Catalyst Conversations in MCH, hosted by CEO and President Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH, FAAP. Listen to the first episode, featuring a conversation about strengthening inter-organizational efforts in anti-racism.
NICHQ Webinars
Watch informative webinars on demand to gain a historical perspective about some of the challenges Black children, mothers, birthing people, and families experience within the healthcare system.
WEBINAR | From Awareness to Action: Strategies for Combating Racism in Health Systems
Learn strategies to identify and address racism and racial bias and apply a racial equity lens to collective impact-based health improvement initiatives.
WEBINAR | Conversations to Improve Patient/Provider Relationships and Increase Appointment Attendance
In this interactive session, panelists model conversations among providers, families, and advocates about reasons for and solutions to missed SCD healthcare appointments. This webinar features discussion and conversation guides that are now available for providers and community-based organizations that specialize in sickle cell disease care.
Learn more about NICHQ projects committed to reducing disparities for Black populations:
- Equity Systems Continuum
- Improving Sickle Cell Disease Care - Hemoglobinopathies Coordinating Center
- National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives
- New York State Birth Equity Improvement Project
- Supporting Healthy Start Performance Project
- United HealthCare Catalyst Initiative: Infant Health Equity
A helpful collection of resources for families and caregivers.
Resources for Families
INFOGRAPHIC | Missed Sickle Cell Disease Appointments
Most adults and children living with sickle cell disease (SCD) missed at least one clinic appointment in a year, according to a study by an Atlanta regional SCD center. This infographic suggests some steps to find solutions and help make getting to appointments easier.
GUIDE | Safe Infant Sleep Baby Registry Guide
This helpful guide will support families in ensuring baby registries meet safe sleep recommendations and guidelines.
PARTNER RESOURCE | AAP Releases Updated Gun Violence Prevention Recommendations
Gun violence is the No. 1 killer of children, teens and young people through age 24. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls for tackling this public health emergency with a harm-reduction approach, using tactics that have successfully resulted in a decrease in motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths.
