Last year, Hamilton County saw the fewest number of Black infant deaths on record. This came as a community of partners focused squarely on improving a longstanding racial disparity in birth outcomes. Many of these efforts were led by Black women. Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting the stories of nine of these women. Read on to learn about Tamieka Gray from the Cincinnati Health Department.
Tamieka Gray, MNCM, CCHW redefines the phrase “sleep like a baby” on a daily basis. As a part of her work with the Cincinnati Health Department, Tamieka helps families learn about safe sleep. She also provides free portable cribs, wearable blankets and other resources families need. The Cribs for Kids program partners with organizations throughout Hamilton County to become distribution sites for free Pack n’ Plays, and Tamieka facilitates safe sleep training as those organizations become Safe Sleep Ambassadors.
Hamilton County continues to fight infant mortality, and safe sleep is a key component in reducing infant deaths. Collaboration is essential to these efforts, and Tamieka has a front-row seat as more and more organizations throughout Cincinnati are coming together and taking part in the safe sleep initiative. Members of these organizations are being educated and trained so they can help raise awareness in their communities. Sleep-related infant deaths are preventable, and prevention starts with awareness.
Tamieka hopes to break what she calls “a generational norm” of unsafe sleeping practices. Specifically, many area moms feel that because their parents and grandparents slept with their babies, it is safe for them to do so as well. That’s just not true. Through Cribs for Kids, families can have a safe sleep solution for their babies and choose to put babies to bed alone*, on their back and in a crib or Pack n’ Play.
Tamieka recognizes that addressing the social determinants of health will help speed progress in the health of families. She says, “When a person has to worry about what their next meal will be or how they will pay for basic necessities like utility bills and rent, those take priority over their health.” She warns that these factors end up affecting a person’s mental and physical health tremendously.
To Tamieka, the overall outlook for infant mortality reduction is positive. She is excited that more Black women are engaging with the safe sleep narrative, especially because Black babies are at the highest risk for infant mortality. As more initiatives target Black families, Tamieka sees the impact of organizations like Queens Village and other workshops and events in changing the infant mortality outcomes in our area.
Tamieka’s advice to new moms: “Do not give up. Every day that we wake up is another chance to make changes in our lives and it’s never too late to ask for help.”
Eligible families can receive a free portable crib through the Cincinnati Health Department by calling (513) 564-BABY.
*Alone does not mean lonely. Babies should sleep in the same room as Mom, but in their own space, free of blankets or stuffed animals.