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 14^th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the workgroup will host its annual Heartland Community Baby Shower for Shawnee County.  The event will be held at the Shawnee County Health Department 2600 SW East Circle Drive, Topeka, Kansas 66606.

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.

While the root causes in infant mortality are complex, the high incidence of infant deaths can be attributed to stress, poverty, lower education levels, and higher teen pregnancy rates. Confronting the complex factors that contribute to infant mortality needs a collaborative and committed community effort to bridge these gaps.

Kansas Health Matters reports that the rate of infant deaths, which includes newborns through one year of age, is 8.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in Shawnee County (KHM-2023). This does NOT meet the objective of the Healthy People 2023 goal of 5.0 deaths per 1,000 live births or the rate of Kansas as a whole at 5.9 deaths per 1,000.

According to the Kansas State Child Death Review Board- 2022 Annual Report, 98% of sleep-related deaths had one or more unsafe sleep practices which include; sleeping in a place other than a safety approved crib or bassinet, sleeping with others, and not being placed on their back to sleep.  

The shower is open to any expecting families in Shawnee County. Pregnant women who attend the shower and receive the safe sleep training will receive a free portable crib, diapers, and a wearable blanket, while supplies last. Additionally, the Shawnee County Health Department will be onsite to offer FREE Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) and Flu vaccinations for eligible pregnant mothers and caregivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pregnant women get the Tdap during the 27th through 36th week of each pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this time period and that all family members and caregivers that will interact with the infant should also be up to date with their Tdap vaccine.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Registrations can be made online at https://rb.gy/ks9jr . Questions? Please call the Shawnee County Health Department at 785.251.5647.