After a pilot program in North Louisiana noted a 56% reduction in infant mortality, Louisiana Healthcare Connections expanded the Cribs for Kids safe sleep program statewide, recently distributing its 10,000th crib across the state.
Sleep-related incidents are the leading cause of death in babies up to 12 months, and Louisiana has the second highest infant mortality rate in the country, according to the CDC. Launched in 2019, pregnant Louisiana Healthcare Connections members received Safe Sleep Survival Kits containing a portable crib and educational materials teaching sleep safety for infants.
“We have had so many wonderful comments from happy, expectant members who received safe-sleep packages from Louisiana Healthcare Connections,” noted President and CEO Jamie Schlottman. “We are pleased to bring smiles to our members and safer sleeping for their babies.”
Comments included:
-“I found a Cribs for Kids package on my porch this afternoon, and after I realized Louisiana Healthcare Connections had sent this item to me, I wanted to say how unbelievably kind and thoughtful it was for y’all to do this for us. It sure brought a smile to my face! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
-“Thank you sooooo much!”
-“It took me a moment to remember my case manager said I would receive a crib close to my due date. I turned the box over to see my name and was very excited to receive such a nice gift from Louisiana Healthcare Connections! It was a great way to end a difficult week I was having. Thank you.”
Including a slight uptick in infant mortality during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, overall, the program has noted a downward trend with approximately 50% fewer sleep-related deaths statewide from pre-program levels, with an even larger percentage in the original pilot region.
“Data-driven insights help us target real-world problems with innovative solutions,” noted Louisiana Healthcare Connections Chief Medical Officer Stewart Gordon, MD. “This milestone 10,000th crib marks many more babies waking up healthy throughout Louisiana today, and that’s the sort of healthcare that makes a difference.”