Blog
May 17, 2023
Black women from across the country are coming together in Cincinnati this week in the fight for more first birthdays. Queens Village, an initiative of Cradle Cincinnati, is hosting its...
May 4, 2023
Community health workers are one of the best resources for parents-to-be, which is why many organizations are adding them to their teams. But have you ever wondered what exactly a...
April 28, 2023
Queens Village, 33 West Studios, and the Contemporary Art Center’s Co-LAB program with support from ArtsWave are proud to announce the next iteration of Through Her Eyes, an initiative to...
April 17, 2023
Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith, executive director of Cradle Cincinnati, will be speaking on a panel discussion led by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra Monday, April 17...
December 12, 2022
Hamilton County has made great strides in improving birth outcomes over the past several years. In 2021, we achieved the lowest infant mortality rate on record for our county. Despite...
December 1, 2022
Today, we’re thrilled to introduce the winners of our 2022 “Champions for Change” Awards, which recognizes individuals in our community who are dedicated to making Hamilton County a better place...
October 19, 2022
Hamilton County is filled with passionate individuals from all professions, communities and walks of life. Help us celebrate those who have done exceptional work fighting for moms and babies over...
September 21, 2022
In recent years, Hamilton County has experienced a reduction in infant mortality, especially regarding preterm birth-related and birth defect-related deaths. However, sleep-related infant deaths have remained consistent over the past...
July 28, 2022
Anticipation and excitement are common emotions felt by many new and expecting parents prior to the arrival of their baby. But for a Black parent, the pregnancy journey is often...
July 8, 2022
As we wrap up our current strategic plan and kick off the next strategic planning process, we are reflecting on the partnerships that got us here through the strength of...
September 27, 2021
Cradle Cincinnati is committed to helping every baby in Cincinnati live to celebrate their first birthday. We are a diverse group of community members, healthcare professionals, parents and organizations working...
September 16, 2021
We’re thrilled to introduce the winners of our 2021 “Champions for Change” Awards, which we celebrate every September in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Each of these champions went...
June 7, 2021
At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more equitable too. Conversations about racial equity are often filled...
April 19, 2021
Today, we released our annual report covering 2020 Hamilton County maternal and infant health data. You can dive into the data in the report itself. In this blog post, we’ll give you...
April 16, 2021
At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more equitable too. Conversations about racial equity are often filled...
January 28, 2021
“The love expressed between women is particular and powerful because we have had to love in order to live; love has been our survival.” – Audre Lorde FIERCE is passion made...
December 8, 2020
At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more equitable too. Conversations about racial equity are often filled...
November 30, 2020
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...
November 12, 2020
At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more equitable too. Conversations about racial equity are often filled...
October 19, 2020
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...
September 24, 2020
Cradle Cincinnati is thrilled to introduce the winners of our 2020 “Champions for Change” Awards, which we celebrate every September in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month. This year, we...
September 11, 2020
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...
September 3, 2020
At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more equitable too. Conversations about racial equity are often filled...
August 13, 2020
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...
July 27, 2020
Over the past several years, Cradle Cincinnati has seen Hamilton County unite around a common goal: to reduce infant mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this work more challenging, but...
July 21, 2020
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...
July 8, 2020
Two weeks ago, we released our annual report and were pleased to share that Hamilton County saw 14 fewer Black infant deaths in 2019—a 24% decrease in Black infant mortality compared to the previous...
June 25, 2020
Today, we released our annual report covering 2019 Hamilton County maternal and infant health data. You can dive into the data in the report itself. In this blog post, we’ll...
June 2, 2020
What if we responded to it like we have to COVID-19? Racism is a public health crisis. Every year, Black babies die at more than 2X the rate of other...
May 27, 2020
Keeping up with well-check visits – whether that’s for yourself or your children – lays the foundation for good health. Well-check visits are especially important for children under the age of...
May 26, 2020
Practical Steps Organizations Can Take to be More Equitable At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more...
March 6, 2020
March is recognized annually as National Nutrition Month. In celebration, we sat down with Sophia Bosse, RD, LD, of Cradle Cincinnati Connections to learn what she does as a dietitian....
February 12, 2020
Practical Steps Organizations Can Take to be More Equitable At Cradle Cincinnati, we believe that if Cincinnati’s employers and service providers are more equitable, our birth outcomes will be more...
February 5, 2020
Patrice Pennington Continues to Support Moms and Babies as Director of Cradle Cincinnati Connections
Cradle Cincinnati would like to welcome Patrice Pennington as our new Director of Connections! Patrice is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. She’s been in...
January 27, 2020
Families in our community lost a true champion over the weekend. Anita Brentley made it her life’s mission to champion families. In her work with Every Child Succeeds and then...
January 27, 2020
Todd Portune was a storyteller. It’s no secret that his combination of wide-ranging expertise and equally broad passion often led to him talk at great length to anyone within earshot....
December 20, 2019
Cradle Cincinnati is encouraging families to practice safe sleep this holiday season. Unique holiday sleeping arrangements – like staying at a grandparent’s home – and colder temperatures can increase a...
November 26, 2019
On August 19th of this year, ten powerful, intelligent Black women sat together tasked with determining how 2.9 million dollars in Ohio Medicaid Funds would be spent in Hamilton County....
November 25, 2019
Several months ago, the Ohio Department of Medicaid asked Cradle Cincinnati to help coordinate how our community would spend $2.9 Million to help combat Hamilton County’s high infant mortality rate....
November 8, 2019
Joe Kozak and his wife Elizabeth currently reside in Madisonville, OH. Joe is a middle school and high school History teacher at Leaves of Learning, and his wife is an...
October 24, 2019
Moms and dads-to-be: We want to celebrate your new addition and help you prepare for parenthood. Join us for food, baby shower games, family photos and gifts! Registration is required....
October 22, 2019
On average, about 13 babies die of sleep-related causes in Hamilton County every year. This year, the number of deaths is trending up. Bed-sharing, or sleeping on the same surface...
October 17, 2019
October is Safe Sleep for Babies Month. To celebrate, Cradle Cincinnati Connections is partnering with Hamilton County Public Libraries to host FREE workshops on how to put babies safely to sleep....
October 3, 2019
Over the next few weeks, we’re interviewing our 2019 “Champion for Change” winners to learn more about them and the work they do in Hamilton County. Today, we’re highlighting Tamieka...
September 17, 2019
Over the next few weeks, we’re interviewing our 2019 “Champion for Change” winners to learn more about them and the work they do in Hamilton County. Today, we’re highlighting Sharon...
September 13, 2019
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month, and to honor the work being done in our community, we are celebrating individuals who are positively impacting the lives of moms and babies. Here...
August 28, 2019
Having breastfeed all four of my children, I thought I was a nursing guru. I thought I knew all there was to know about breastfeeding. I knew the different positions,...
August 22, 2019
The challenge is real. How do you collaborate with new families to provide realistic strategies to feed their new baby, get enough rest, and practice safe sleep? As professionals, we...
August 21, 2019
Sleep-related infant deaths are the leading cause of death for babies between one month and one year of age. Importantly, these deaths are mostly preventable. Help us spread safe sleep...
August 16, 2019
Over the past few years, I have had the extraordinary privilege of working face to face with pregnant moms and new moms in Cincinnati through the Breastfeeding Outreach for Our...
August 14, 2019
If you have a passion for the health of women and babies in Cincinnati and thrive in challenging roles, we want you to join us as we fight for healthier...
August 8, 2019
Despite an overall downward trend in infant mortality this year, one cause of infant death is on the rise. In recent years, the Hamilton County and Northern Kentucky region have...
August 2, 2019
Since late 2016, the Ohio Department of Medicaid has partnered with Cradle Cincinnati and other Hamilton County based partners to reduce infant mortality. In the State’s most recent budget process,...
July 24, 2019
If you have a passion for the health of women and babies in Cincinnati and thrive in challenging roles, we want you to join us as we fight for healthier...
July 16, 2019
Hamilton County has become a center for incredible collaboration all centered on the goal of reducing infant mortality. Over the past several years, we’ve seen remarkable progress only made possible...
July 14, 2019
One year ago, Cradle Cincinnati’s partners gathered at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to unveil an ambitious new plan to reduce infant mortality in Hamilton County. The plan, developed...
June 28, 2019
In Hamilton County, Black infants are nearly three times as likely to die when compared to their White counterparts – and this disparity has been growing for decades. At Cradle...
June 6, 2019
Preeclampsia. When I first heard that word, I had no idea what it meant, but it would change my life completely. I was in my first pregnancy, 22 weeks along,...
May 28, 2019
On a very cold morning in mid-November, we stepped into the basement of the church to begin set-up. Our curious guests began to show up almost a half hour before...
May 15, 2019
Through oral history retold to him by family, Napoleon Maddox knew about his great grand aunts by the time he began to recite the alphabet. Conjoined twins Millie-Christine McKoy of...
April 25, 2019
92 babies died before their first birthday in Hamilton County in 2018, 5 fewer than in 2017 and the fewest in county history. While outcomes have improved across populations since...
April 23, 2019
When Lauren Eylise talks about her music, the magnetic singer-songwriter becomes animated and energized the way proud mothers get when showing off charming baby photos. She gushes a little over...
April 16, 2019
As founder of Voices of Healing Workshops and Consulting, Jori An Cotton, LSW, uses her gifts as nurturer and steward of the creative arts to empower her community. She names...
April 9, 2019
Seeing Jennifer Simone perform live is a cosmic, communal and meditative experience. Aromatic incense cleanses the air to welcome high vibrations and healing crystals purify her space where she becomes...
January 30, 2019
Help us spread love to moms this Valentine’s Day by writing a letter of encouragement. We’ll collect letters and hand-deliver them to women during their prenatal care appointments. Learn more here. If you...
January 23, 2019
Help us spread love to moms this Valentine’s Day by writing a letter of encouragement. We’ll collect letters and hand-deliver them to women during their prenatal care appointments. Learn more here. If you...
January 16, 2019
Help us spread love to moms this Valentine’s Day by writing a letter of encouragement. We’ll collect letters and hand-deliver them to women during their prenatal care appointments. Learn more here. If you...
January 9, 2019
Cradle Cincinnati Connections, a neighborhood-based approach to reducing infant death, is expanding its services to North College Hill and Winton Hills. This team of community health workers, social workers, a health...
December 20, 2018
If you have a passion for the health of women and babies in Cincinnati and thrive in challenging roles, we want you to join us as we fight for healthier...
November 28, 2018
As of 2016, Ohio had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the United States, with 7.4 deaths for every 1,000 live births. While rates have decreased in recent...
November 20, 2018
Sunlight spills through the large glass windows into a room filled with laughter. Off to one side, a young woman with long braids and a round pregnant belly dishes a...
November 1, 2018
In 2005, there was a devastating earthquake in Chile. Years later, a researcher asked whether or not the earthquake impacted preterm birth rates in that community. Some women saw a...
October 8, 2018
October is SIDS Awareness Month. You can help highlight this safe sleep messaging with the sample social media posts below. For more information on SIDS and safe sleep, please see...
October 2, 2018
As part of Cradle Cincinnati’s new strategic plan, our partners have agreed to address implicit bias in the prenatal care setting. We aim to do so in order to 1)...
September 28, 2018
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Throughout the month, our Executive Director, will be highlighting some of the changes coming under Cradle Cincinnati’s new strategic plan. According to a recent...
September 27, 2018
Every September, we celebrate local champions dedicated to making Hamilton County healthier and safer for moms, dads and babies. Here are our 2018 “Champions for Change” winners: (Pictured left to...
September 24, 2018
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Throughout the month, our Executive Director, will be highlighting some of the changes coming under Cradle Cincinnati’s new strategic plan. A woman who smokes...
September 18, 2018
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Throughout the month, our Executive Director, will be highlighting some of the changes coming under Cradle Cincinnati’s new strategic plan. When faced with large...
September 10, 2018
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Throughout the month, our Executive Director will be highlighting some of the changes coming under Cradle Cincinnati’s new strategic plan. Women in the United...
September 7, 2018
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. You can help highlight this issue with the sample social media messages below. And here are other ways to get involved this month. Twitter:...
September 5, 2018
This September, our community is doubling down on efforts to improve maternal and infant health. From neighborhood barbecues to social media campaigns, there’s a lot going on. What will you do? Tell...
July 26, 2018
One thing is true of Cincinnati: we care about babies. Over the past year, we’ve seen champions throughout our city rally around our moms and babies in ways we could have only dreamed. Churches...
June 28, 2018
Today, marks a special day for Cradle Cincinnati: we release our second 5-year strategic plan. Since the release of our first plan in 2013, Hamilton County’s infant deaths have dropped...
April 12, 2018
Over the past five years, Hamilton County has seen a significant drop in its infant mortality rate, resulting in fewer infant deaths than ever before. About 18 fewer babies died...
March 23, 2018
Spacing is important. Waiting at least 12 months between pregnancies – from birth of one baby to conception of the next – lowers the risk of preterm birth, the leading...
February 8, 2018
Between 2007 and 2011, Hamilton County lost an average of 18 babies per year to unsafe sleep. This average dropped to 13 deaths per year, with a historic low of 7...
February 6, 2018
Valentine’s Day is next week – what better time to let moms know that they are loved, supported and appreciated? You can help us spread the love this holiday by writing a...
January 30, 2018
Over the course of several months, Cradle Cincinnati partners came together to make Northside Health Center a sanctuary for families that need quality care. Northside Health Center, one of eight...
January 7, 2018
We’re looking to add a new member to our team in 2018. If you have a passion for the health of women and babies in Cincinnati and thrive in challenging roles,...
November 30, 2017
Smoking during pregnancy is the most modifiable risk factor for preterm birth. However, more than one in ten women report smoking during pregnancy in Hamilton County. And in some neighborhoods...
November 27, 2017
Karen Lapthorn’s second pregnancy came with surprises (“You’re having twins!”), concern (“You need to see a specialist”), and fear (“Things are not going well”). Just 28 weeks into the pregnancy,...
November 21, 2017
This holiday season, we encourage all families to practice safe sleep. New sleeping environments and colder temperatures can increase a baby’s risk of sleep-related death. Babies sleep safest Alone, on their...
October 31, 2017
October may be coming to a close, but we feel it’s never too late to declare it as “Safe Sleep for Babies Month.” And that’s exactly what happened at the...
October 10, 2017
Babies sleep safest Alone, on their Back and in a Crib. Following these recommendations can significantly reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS. These rules aren’t easy to follow, so we reached...
September 15, 2017
Now is the time to double down on supporting pregnant women on their journey to quit smoking Cincinnati, we need to get serious about eliminating smoking during pregnancy. This is...
September 13, 2017
Every September, we celebrate local champions dedicated to making Hamilton County healthier and safer for moms, dads and babies. Here are our 2017 “Champions for Change” winners: (Pictured left to...
September 11, 2017
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month, and we want to challenge you to make Cincy a better, healthier place for families. Below are some simple (and easy) ideas to show...
September 6, 2017
This September, we’re doubling down on efforts to improve maternal/infant health in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month. From neighborhood microgrants to a health center makeover, we’ve got a lot...
August 29, 2017
It’s hard to believe that Cradle Cincinnati is nearly five years old. We’ve been positively overjoyed with the number of partners, community members, and families that have joined us in...
August 8, 2017
One thing is true of Cincinnati: we care about babies. Over the past year, we’ve seen champions throughout our city rally around our moms and babies in ways we could have only dreamed. Churches...
August 4, 2017
As matriarchs of the family, grandmothers support their loved ones in countless ways. Next Saturday, we want to celebrate them with our first-ever Grandmothers’ High Tea event. Free to all...
June 16, 2017
To all the dad, uncles, grandfathers and father-figures in Hamilton County, Happy Father’s Day! Words cannot express the enormous impact you have on families and children in our community. In...
April 10, 2017
Over the past five years, far fewer babies died in Hamilton County than ever before. From 2012-2016 Hamilton County saw a historically low infant mortality rate with 8.96 deaths for...
March 29, 2017
There is little evidence to support the very likeable idea of Finnish Baby Boxes. For generations, every baby born in Finland has gone home with a box full of gifts...
March 20, 2017
If you look at the dictionary, two words are synonymous with warrior: bravery and courage. We believe these perfectly describe the modern day mom. Nicole Lee, founder of Warrior Moms®,...
March 16, 2017
Last week, Cradle Cincinnati Connections community health worker Deborah received a call from a grandmother in need of help. Grandma Peake had recently become the primary caregiver for her grandson,...
January 12, 2017
Welcome 2017! At this time of year, people are making a New Year’s resolution, and one of the most popular ones is to Quit Smoking. If you are one of...
January 12, 2017
For the first time in my life, I recently had the chance to closely watch as a law was made. When Governor Kasich signed Senate Bill 332, it was the...
January 9, 2017
“I’m sorry. Her heart isn’t beating.” Those horrible, terrible words marked my “before” and “after.” My “before” was a time when I was blissfully unaware of the word “stillbirth”...
December 15, 2016
Sarah Hollis is a 35 year old art teacher at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and currently 28 weeks pregnant. Since starting smoking at the age of 12, she’s had...
December 2, 2016
All moms deserve to feel loved during their pregnancy – that love can come from their family, friends, or even their community. This is exactly why Cradle Cincinnati came together...
November 17, 2016
Dear mom or dad, On one of my first trips to a NICU, there was a new preemie on the unit, with his parents watching over him. I watched them...
November 17, 2016
In 2015, for the first time, complications to preterm birth became the number one global killer of young children under the age of 5. Here in Hamilton County, more than...
November 16, 2016
Today, the Ohio Department of Health released their latest report on infant mortality, sharing 2015 statewide data for the first time. The state saw an increase in its infant mortality...
October 26, 2016
Earlier this week, the American Academy of Pediatrics released their latest safe sleep recommendations. Expanding upon their 2011 recommendations, the AAP delves into those gray area topics – where to...
October 7, 2016
On September 29, Cradle Cincinnati and our partners came together to re-dedicate the Winton Hills Health Center. More than 100 volunteers and 15 local businesses contributed to a months-long transformation...
October 7, 2016
Babies sleep safest Alone, on their Back and in a Crib. Following these recommendations can significantly reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS. While these rules are not always easy to...
September 30, 2016
A new report released today outlines the severity of extreme preterm birth in our community. In Hamilton County, 554 babies were born extremely preterm, before their mother’s third trimester, between...
September 23, 2016
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our 2016 Champions for Change awards. Champions for Change honors local leaders who are making a difference for moms and babies in our...
September 16, 2016
Each year in Ohio, we lose an unacceptably high number of babies who die before reaching their first birthday. Through my work as Chair of the Senate Health and Human...
August 23, 2016
During the summer of 2014, artists Ryan Mulligan and Sam Meador debuted the inaugural film festival for Hilltop Stories: A Neighborhood Film Project in Walnut Hills. This summer the project...
August 9, 2016
We’re excited for the upcoming Black Family Reunion Celebration. Here’s a brief description of their work, and you can learn more at their website: “The Midwest Black Family Reunion Celebration...
August 3, 2016
Hamilton County has seen 41 fewer infant deaths in the past three years, a 13% decline compared to the three years prior. This success is not the result of any one...
August 1, 2016
We’re happy to announce that we’ll be putting our “Forever a Queen, Always Smoke Free” campaign back on the market. Starting today, this important message will be on billboards and...
July 28, 2016
One thing is true of Cincinnati: we care about babies. Over the past year, we’ve seen champions throughout our city rally around our moms and babies in ways we could have only dreamed. Churches...
July 18, 2016
Breastfeeding is the best feeding for infants early in life. I understood that to be true when I was pregnant with my first son over 10 years ago. Being pregnant...
July 14, 2016
More women in Hamilton County may be smoking and exposed to nicotine during pregnancy than previously thought, according to this new study by researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center...
June 23, 2016
Infant mortality is an issue that impacts all of us. Here are five reasons why you should help in this fight: The lives we lose are irreplaceable. In Hamilton County...
June 7, 2016
The Ohio Department of Medicaid has awarded Cradle Cincinnati $2.1 million in funding over the next two years to organize new efforts to combat infant mortality in Hamilton County. The...
May 17, 2016
For years, Hamilton County has lost more babies before their first birthday than it should. Preterm birth, birth defects and unsafe sleep continue to be the three leading causes of...
May 13, 2016
All moms deserve to be celebrated; however, many of our most vulnerable moms have never had a baby shower. Once we learned this, we knew we had to do something....
May 9, 2016
Over a year ago I read an article about a diaper bank out West and thought to myself, “That’s great! But…why does a diaper bank even exist?” At the time,...
May 3, 2016
Our moms may live in the Queen City, but unfortunately not all of these mothers will be given their much-deserved tiara this Mother’s Day. What better time to let our...
April 28, 2016
In the 1990’s, the federal government formally changed the recommendation for infant sleep from stomach sleeping to back sleeping with a national “Back to Sleep” campaign. With that change, sleep-related...
March 30, 2016
It’s shocking that nearly 1,000 Ohio babies die each year before their first birthday – a rate higher than many developing countries. That’s why the Ohio General Assembly created the...
March 24, 2016
Our county lost 99 babies before their first birthday in 2015. This means that our provisional 2015 infant mortality rate continues a multi-year trend of slowly improving, but stubbornly high rates....
March 18, 2016
At the end of 2015, Cradle Cincinnati partnered with the University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research to conduct a random digital dial phone survey of Hamilton County. Our goal...
March 3, 2016
Calling all Cincinnatians (and even those outside city limits)! Help us give our babies a fighting chance. We’re looking for volunteers who can help us build vibrant neighborhoods, promote healthy behaviors and...
March 2, 2016
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese in the United States. For Toni Carey and Ashely Hicks-Rocha,...
January 12, 2016
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the seventh in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
December 23, 2015
Cradle Cincinnati Connections is in full-on holiday mode, partnering with local organizations to create Christmas memories for families on Cincinnati’s west side. Last week, the Connections team joined...
December 18, 2015
The holidays are a mix of joy and stress for everyone. From buying the perfect gifts, planning parties, and baking cookies, it seems like there is never a minute to...
December 11, 2015
At 20 weeks, 6 days we learned that our little boy would be born with medical issues. The doctors told us the outcome for our child would be grim, but...
November 16, 2015
Did you know that November is Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17th is World Prematurity Day? Until recently, premature birth, which affects 15 million babies worldwide, was not recognized as...
October 28, 2015
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the fifth in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
October 12, 2015
Every year, Cradle Cincinnati presents its Champions of Change awards to individuals in the community who are fighting for the health of our moms and babies. On September 23rd, Cradle Cincinnati...
October 2, 2015
Every year, Cradle Cincinnati presents its Champions of Change awards to individuals in the community who are fighting for the health of our moms and babies. On September 23rd, Cradle Cincinnati...
September 18, 2015
We’re excited to unveil the newly transformed and re-dedicated Price Hill Health Center, which provides prenatal care and WIC services to moms in Price Hill and surrounding neighborhoods. More than 100...
September 4, 2015
Infant mortality is a complex issue – this we know. We also know that infant mortality cannot be eliminated through medical interventions alone. Our health, and the health of moms...
August 13, 2015
One thing is true of Cincinnati: we care about babies. Over the past year, we’ve seen champions throughout our city rally around our moms and babies in ways we could have only dreamed. Churches...
August 4, 2015
August is National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week! This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s Make it Work!” What does supporting breastfeeding have to...
July 27, 2015
What does Skyline Chili have to do with quitting smoking? Read on to learn about Brittany, a soon-to-be first-time mom from Bethesda North OB/GYN Center who recently quit. Brittany decided to...
July 7, 2015
As we launch our smoking cessation campaign, we want to highlight the committed moms and staff at one of our partner prenatal health centers – Bethesda North OB/GYN Center. Here...
June 26, 2015
We are excited to announce a new enhanced effort to support pregnant women who are trying to quit smoking. Studies show that smoking more than doubles the risk of preterm...
June 4, 2015
Anyone and everyone can play a part in reducing our county’s infant mortality rate. A handful of dedicated students from the University of Cincinnati’s Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP)...
May 8, 2015
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re partnering with local businesses to celebrate moms-to-be. Throughout this week, we delivered care packages – with donated flowers, baby books, letters from community members, and...
May 4, 2015
Pregnancy is among the most important times to make smart choices to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. That starts by making regular visits to your doctor...
May 1, 2015
I’ve been blessed with two adorable little boys that have a lot in common, but how they entered the world is not one of them. My first son was born...
April 22, 2015
Mini-grants for safe sleep outreach are available from our friends at SID Network of Ohio. These grants are perfect for neighborhood and community groups looking to reduce the risks of...
March 30, 2015
How can you save a baby with your phone? Just ask a member of the First Ladies Health Initiative, a unique gathering of community-minded women in Cincinnati. Led by First...
March 25, 2015
The United States has an embarrassing problem. It has one of the worst infant mortality rates among industrialized countries. Nearly six out of every 1,000 babies born in the US...
March 18, 2015
For years, one of the reasons for our elevated infant mortality rate in Hamilton County has been far too many babies dying from sleep-related causes. This most frequently looks like...
February 24, 2015
Jenetta Thomas has been with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since 2006. She volunteered to share her special memories working as a nurse in the NICU. We bring you her...
February 12, 2015
Today we announced the results of an economic impact study on the local cost of preterm birth. With a total impact of over $400 million each year, costs include: $93.6 million...
January 26, 2015
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center recently opened their new smoking cessation clinic, led by Dr. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, an emergency department physician. Individual counseling sessions and comprehensive quit plans will be...
January 12, 2015
Is quitting smoking a New Year’s Resolution for you or another mom you know? If so, we bring you Ashley, a mother of four, who has quit smoking and remained smoke...
January 2, 2015
Advertising works. It works in politics, it works when a local store promotes a big sale, and it also works when we focus on changing health behaviors through public health...
December 10, 2014
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the fourth in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
November 20, 2014
It’s well known that smoking is bad for you – especially if you’re pregnant. Smoking affects not only a mother’s health, but also the health of her unborn child. According...
November 13, 2014
We are delighted to announce our first ever “Champions for Change” winners – individuals who are partnering to help lower our community’s infant mortality rate. This diverse group – which...
October 27, 2014
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the third in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
October 20, 2014
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death among infants aged 1–12 months, and the third overall leading...
October 13, 2014
Price Hill is a great neighborhood, and together, we can make it even better. The health of every baby, every mother, and every resident in Price Hill is affected by...
October 1, 2014
From 2010-2013, Hamilton County had 66 infant deaths related to unsafe sleep conditions. We can change this. By working together as a community, we can promote, educate, and connect families...
September 17, 2014
For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege of caring for thousands of preterm infants at Cincinnati Children’s. Their will to survive is humbling, and it inspires my...
September 4, 2014
In recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month, we’re announcing our first-ever Cradle Cincinnati “Champions for Change” awards. Help us celebrate those fighting for our moms and babies by submitting a...
August 26, 2014
Merry Christmas 2011, The Brown Family is expecting! Wow, we were so excited. Noah was going to be a big brother; he would tell everyone with a big ol’ smile...
August 25, 2014
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the second in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
August 13, 2014
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that, with 1,087 infant deaths (7.9 deaths for every 1,000 live births), Ohio’s overall 2011 infant mortality rate was the...
August 5, 2014
Addiction is a powerful driver and nicotine addiction is one of the most insidious. How else do we explain why only 18-25 percent of pregnant women care enough about their...
July 24, 2014
At Cradle Cincinnati, improving data around pregnancy is absolutely central to our work. This is the first in a series of posts about how data can help drive healthy change...
July 21, 2014
In 2012, 1,045 Ohioans died unexpectedly before celebrating their first birthdays. That’s 1,045 children who will not have a first day of school, who will not learn to ride a...
June 30, 2014
The day in the life of a community health worker starts out a lot like any other working person’s day. There’s paperwork, answering emails, drinking coffee (or in my case,...
June 23, 2014
Our advisory board, a diverse group of health and civic leaders from our community, recently completed a strategic planning process and unanimously approved a path forward. If we want to...
June 13, 2014
When my husband, Sam, and I found out we were pregnant with our first son we were over the moon. We couldn’t wait to share our pregnancy news with friends...
June 11, 2014
Around 12 percent of babies are born prematurely in the United States each year, including 13.7 percent of Hamilton County births in 2011. According to the Ohio Department of Health,...
June 2, 2014
Each year, more than 4,000 infants die unexpectedly during sleep time, from SIDS, accidental suffocation, or unknown causes. Hamilton County has one of the highest rates of SIDS in the...
May 28, 2014
Price Hill is a great neighborhood; together, we can make it even better. The health of every baby, every mother, and every resident in Price Hill is affected by our...
May 19, 2014
At a recent meeting, our advisory board established a statement of shared beliefs that will drive our work moving forward. These statements represent a common understanding of the complex problem...
May 13, 2014
My husband and I were packing up the diaper bag, getting ready to leave our visit with the gastroenterologist. We came for advice on how to help our son Charlie...
May 7, 2014
The reason that so many babies are dying in Hamilton County is complex, but something that is at the root of the problem is that many women in our community...
April 28, 2014
In 2011, 1,088 babies died in Ohio before celebrating their first birthday. Ohio ranks 48th in the country and 49th in infant mortality among African Americans. These rankings are not...
April 14, 2014
One of the greatest joys in life is when a woman finds out she is expecting a child. You envision future events such as your child’s first words, first step,...
March 6, 2014
Cincinnati, we can do better. Year after year, too many babies in our community die before their first birthday. In just the first ten months of 2013, we lost 78...
February 27, 2014
I’m so excited that Cincinnati and its hospitals and health systems are coming together to tackle one of our community’s most pressing problems – our high infant mortality rate. To...
February 27, 2014
In my time as a Cincinnati police officer, I saw a lot. One particular experience that still haunts me, years later, is walking into the home of a family that...