Community Baby Shower is provided at no cost to expectant parents, grandparents, and foster parents. Medical experts and health information vendors provides educational opportunities to answer questions and give information to help at-risk mothers and their babies stay healthy during and after pregnancy. Community vendors provide free door prizes and light snacks for those attending.

African Americans infant mortality rates are consistently higher than the rates of other race/ethnicities. Due to this alarming disparity educational community baby showers are a much needed intervention to educate and inform the community of infant mortality and how to reduce their risk of having low birth weight babies.

Some of the topics include risks for having low birth weight babies, the importance of prenatal and well-baby care, and taking care of oneself during and after pregnancy. The program is modeled after an evidence-based initiative promoted by the National Office of Minority Health and Department of Health and Human Services.

For general information about improving the health of pregnant women and infants in Mississippi, call the county Health Department.

More information on Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter’s Community Baby Shower, contact: physicalandmentalhealth@jacksonmsalumnae.org