B’more for Healthy Babies Initiative Wins Family League Award

November 14, 2013
By Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

JHU∙CCP has been honored with the 2013 Community Partners Award from the Family League. This award recognizes the key role CCP has played in the B’more for Healthy Babies Initiative.

B’more for Healthy Babies was launched in response to the high infant mortality rate (IMR) in Baltimore City – historically one of the worst in the nation. The initiative works through more than 100 partner agencies to implement a comprehensive program of improved policy, increased access to services and behavior change in communities and families.

Since this initiative was formally launched in 2010, the IMR has dropped consistently. In 2012, the rate reached a significant milestone – 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a record low for Baltimore City. The disparity between the IMR for white and black infants has dropped by 40%.

“CCP’s outstanding work on many B’more for Healthy Babies communications campaigns is well-known throughout Baltimore,” said Jonathan Rondeau, President and CEO of Family League, in presenting the award which is given to a Family League partner who has been particularly strong in supporting the Family League’s vision and mission. “Their ongoing commitment to create effective health communications campaigns on a global scale has made them an invaluable partner.”

B’more for Healthy Babies is co-led by the Baltimore City Health Department and Family League of Baltimore City with support from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and more than a dozen other funders. The initiative uses a combination of mass media, community outreach, provider education and policy change to improve health in Baltimore city.

CCP has been instrumental in developing citywide campaigns on safe sleep practices for infants, smoke-free environments, and family planning. Highlights include the production of a powerful SLEEP SAFE video that is shown to all women delivering at a birthing hospital – a key decision making point for adopting safe sleep practices. Visit www.healthybabiesbaltimore.com to view the SLEEP SAFE videos for mothers as well as three new videos for fathers, caregivers, and the Hispanic community and many other products developed by CCP for this initiative.