News and Events

August is Breastfeeding Month

August is National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. Breastfeeding is considered the "gold standard" not only because of its nutritional value to infants but also for the variety of health benefits early breastfeeding provides to those infants as they grow. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of a variety of diseases and conditions in infants, including asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Learn more about breastfeeding and read our latest blog post.

Regional Perinatal Advisory Council (RPAC) News and Events

For meeting dates and information from individual regions, visit Regions and Directors and choose the region you are interested in.

October is SIDS Awareness Month

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, a time to share the importance of creating safe sleep environments for infants. Research shows that unsafe sleep areas, such as those that include non-fitted sheets, blankets, or stuffed toys, remain a leading cause of infant death. Visit the CDC to learn more about setting up a safe sleeping space for infants.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

A developing baby goes through important growth throughout pregnancy, including in the final months and weeks. Premature or preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In 2020, preterm birth affected 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States. Visit the CDC to learn more.

Infant Mortality Collaborative Effort

ADPH is working on a collaborative effort, the Alabama Perinatal Excellence Collaborative (APEC), to lower infant mortality and improve maternal and infant health in Alabama. The March of Dimes has funded a smart phone app that provides obstetric providers with easy access to APEC guidelines at the point of care, as well as an app for patients, My Family Plan.