Goal:
Reduce infant mortality in Shawnee County to reach the Healthy People 2020 goal.

Objective Areas:

• Reduction of Infant Deaths Due to SUID (Sudden Unexplained Infant Death)
• Increasing Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration
• Increasing Early and Adequate Prenatal Care

Chairperson:

• Teresa Fisher, RN, BSN
  Maternal Child Health Outreach Team Leader
  Shawnee County Health Department
  (785) 251-2000
  Teresa.Fisher@snco.us

Why “Healthy Babies”:

• Infant mortality is an important indicator of the health and well-being of our community.
• Babies in Shawnee County are dying at an alarming rate compared to state and national data.
• HHN is working to have healthy families in Shawnee County.

2017 Annual Community Baby Shower from Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Babies Workgroup Hosted October 21 at Avondale East

Topeka, Kan. – The Community Health Improvement Plan has identified infant mortality as a major health concern for Shawnee County, and the Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods (HHN), Healthy Babies workgroup has been working on ways to help inform expecting families on safe sleep practices. On Saturday, October 21st from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the workgroup will host the annual Community Baby Shower on Safe Sleep for Shawnee County. The event will be held at the Avondale East NETReach Center, 455 SE Golf Park Blvd.

The Healthy Babies workgroup operates as the Community Action Team for the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program which focuses on turning recommendations into new actionable interventions that benefit the community. The annual Community Baby Shower is just one of many interventions designed to positively impact infant mortality in the Topeka/Shawnee County area.

“This is not a marketing event, but an educational event to help expecting families learn about safe sleep for infants and make sure they have the resources and tools to keep their babies safe,” said Teresa Fisher, chair of the HHN Healthy Babies workgroup. “Making sure babies have safe beds, and families know the proper ways to put a baby to bed are important steps to help reduce infant mortality in our community.”

The shower is open to any expecting families in Shawnee County. Diapers, donated by the Junior League of Topeka, will be given away while supplies last.

 

2016 Annual Community Baby Shower Event Photos