NICHQ is currently seeking a new President and CEO – Click Here to learn more and apply
Quality improvement (QI) work is driven by an interest in implementing changes that lead to improvements. In breastfeeding and safe sleep work, this can be challenging. It can be difficult to fully and accurately understand the source of maternal and child health service gaps. Ultimately, professionals do not yet have a clear idea of which…
Patient and family partnerships are an essential element of effective services. By supporting patient and family voices and encouraging space for collaboration, public health professionals can help ensure shared vision and values are at the forefront of determining solutions to improve a community’s health outcomes. The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) and the…
When performing research and evaluating programs on the topic of maternal and child health–a field embedded among social determinants of health– it is important to root the research in the context of the community. Traditionally, many public health initiatives employ a top-down approach to address public health issues rather than harnessing the lived experience of community members. Researchers must practice cultural humility and defer to…
Lead poisoning is 100% preventable. Lead poisoning occurs when lead enters the bloodstream and builds up to toxic levels. Many different factors such as the source of exposure, length of exposure, and underlying susceptibility (e.g., child’s age, nutritional status, and genetics) affect how the body handles foreign substances. About 3.6 million American households have children under 6 years of age and lead exposure hazards. According to…
Full name and title: Kim Sprunck, MSW, MPH, Associate Director of Programs Years with NICHQ: 3 How has your background/experiences led you to join a national children’s health organization? “I have a long history of being interested in public health, and specifically population health. Specifically, I have a background in improving health for vulnerable populations- including helping low-income populations who need…
Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential, ensuring children stay healthy and are protected from preventable diseases and illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, and seasonal flu. But, as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, data shows that fewer childhood vaccinations have been given and many children have fallen behind on their scheduled appointments. At the onset of the pandemic, public health measures were put in place to reduce the…
Full name and title: Stacey C. Penny, MSW, MPH, Senior Project Director Years with NICHQ: 1 How has your background/experiences led you to join a national children’s health organization? “Supporting the health and well-being of young children and their families has been the primary focus of my career for the past 22 years. Before joining…
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, children of all ages were spending more screen time than ever before on cellphones, tablets, and laptops. Health professionals (often caregivers themselves) have needed to adopt a flexible attitude toward screen time, considering the families they serve are impacted so differently by the pandemic due to racial and economic disparities. Amid the recurring tough decisions about attending school in person or remotely, most parents and caregivers have found digital…
A multi-year initiative to improve infant safe sleep and breastfeeding is launching sector-specific Communities of Practice in 2021 to address policies, improve skills, and learn from other advocates’ experiences. A virtual kickoff meeting on Jan. 28 will highlight the work of NAPPSS-INN to date, provide an opportunity to hear from constituents, and help identify…
Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. And troublingly, recent data show that U.S. preterm birth rates have risen for the fourth consecutive year. Improvement starts by identifying what programs and policies do successfully support families, understanding what makes them successful, and then using those lessons to prompt…