Suffolk Showers - A New Mother Education Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Minority Health’s Suffolk Showers Program is a part of a national initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office of Minority Health called “A Health Baby Begins with You.” This local initiative expands on the national program and seeks to address the serious public health concern of infant mortality through an empowering message that encourages expectant parents to utilize community resources and become educated about the things they can do to give their babies a healthy start, with a particular emphasis on minority communities’ health concerns. This program’s ultimate goal is to reach expectant mothers and their families within the communities at highest risk for infant mortality to increase awareness about infant health and wellness, informed by research-supported findings and strategies. Through partnerships with similar organizations, the SCDHS was able to provide essential information about the risks related to infant mortality so that these risks can be reduced and infant mortality can be prevented.