![multiracial group of children laying in circle, second image with white doctor with short black hair wearing lab coat examining Black child with curly afro and pink shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_hero_image/public/hero-image-with-circle-image/Sudden%20Infant%20Death%20Syndrome%20Awareness%20Month%20%20%28LinkedIn%20Banner%29%20%28Twitter%20Header%29%20%282400%20%C3%97%20600%20px%29%20%288%29.png?itok=xuzerEhW)
Support Better Health Outcomes for Children and Families
Children and families deserve better services and support that promote optimal health. Every day, we’re driving the changes in healthcare that make those services better for all.
Help NICHQ Improve the Health of All Children
During the past 20 years, the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) has led more than 80 initiatives and reached millions of children and families. But there's more work to be done, and we need your help.
NICHQ is deeply committed to health equity and ensuring all children reach their optimal health, but we can't do it alone. As we continue to engage in equity work and lead projects that are important to both NICHQ and the MCH field some may not align with project funding. Now, we're hoping more partners will join us in this important work.
![Stacy Scott quote about Health Equity Department](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_square/public/text-and-image-side-by-side-image/1_0.png?itok=ei2rzZSr)
NICHQ Creates New Department of Health Equity Innovation
NICHQ recently launched a new Health Equity Innovation Department with the goal of accelerating strategies that address systemic health inequities.
Some of the ongoing work the Health Equity Innovation Department will support is the Equity Systems Audit Tool, co-created by NICHQ and the Global Infant Safe Sleep Center to assess implicit and explicit bias in healthcare systems. The department will also support internal equity engagement and help existing projects ensure they are effectively incorporating equity.
![Woman wearing white hijab and maroon top with child with curly hair, both dark brown skin talking to physician with short salt and pepper gray and black hair](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_square/public/text-and-image-side-by-side-image/Untitled%20design%20%2836%29.png?itok=4o2LTqYk)
An Ongoing Commitment to Equity
NICHQ is committed to achieving equity in all forms, including race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability. Join us on our equity journey as we work to make our vision that "every child achieves their optimal health" a reality.