Opioid exposure is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm labor, stillbirth, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and maternal mortality. The number of pregnant women with opioid use disorder at labor and delivery more than quadrupled from 1999 to 2014, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis. The White House…
The NICHQ National Action Partnership to Promote Safe Sleep Improvement and Innovation Network (NAPPSS-IIN) project will continue to convene six Community of Practice (CoP) groups from September 2022 – March 2023. CoPs include Birthing Professionals, Community Advocacy Organizations, Community-Based Home Visitors, Early Childcare Providers, First Responders, and Researchers. Each group will convene twice to continue…
In the past several decades, clinicians, public health professionals, and those with lived experience have seen advancements in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) treatments and research that have significantly improved outcomes and increased life expectancies for people living with SCD. For example, the FDA-approved medication hydroxyurea (HU) has been recommended as a SCD standard of care…
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…