Event to Showcase Successful Strategies to Improve Birth Outcomes, Reduce Infant Mortality
NACCHO, B’more for Healthy Babies to present on maternal and child health trends
Baltimore, MD (October 13, 2016) - Since 2009, Baltimore City has lowered its infant mortality rate 38 percent to a record low of 8.4 deaths for every 1,000 live births.
To learn more about how Baltimore achieved this remarkable turnaround and hear about the latest approaches to improving maternal and child health, join CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for a webcast Monday, Oct. 24, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
You can view the webcast here.
Featured speakers will include:
- Olivia D. Farrow, Esq., Deputy Commissioner for Youth Wellness and Community Health, Baltimore City Health Department;
- Rebecca Dineen, MS, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Maternal & Child Health, Baltimore City Health Department;
- Dr. Gena O'Keefe, Senior Associate, the Annie E. Casey Foundation; and,
- Calondra Tibbs, MPH, Senior Advisor for Public Health Programs, National Association of County and City Health Officials.
During the webcast, leaders of the Baltimore City Health Department will discuss how their B’more for Healthy Babies program has worked to change policies and improve services for expectant and new mothers who need help caring for their babies.
In 2009, at a time when Baltimore City had the fourth-highest infant mortality rate in the nation, CareFirst partnered with the Baltimore City Health Department and the Family League of Baltimore to launch B’more for Healthy Babies (BHB). Together with more than 150 organizations, BHB works to decrease the three leading causes of infant death, address racial disparities in birth outcomes, and reduce the incidence of teen birth.
BHB announced the city’s latest infant mortality rate statistics earlier this month.
For years, CareFirst has been committed to improving maternal and child health in the region, targeting communities where the need for access to pre- and post-natal care is greatest. Since 2007, CareFirst has committed more than $17 million to maternal and child health initiatives, including $8.9 million over ten years in support of B’more for Healthy Babies.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 78th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2015, CareFirst contributed nearly $40 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram or Google+.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 107 million members – one in three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit our site. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog for up-to-date information about BCBSA.
