Ohio Launches Universal Baby Box Program to Improve State's Ranking as 43 out of 50 States for Highest Infant Deaths in the Nation

Ohio currently ranks 43 out of 50 states for the most significant infant mortality rates across the nation. According to Ohio Infant Mortality Data report, Ohio's infant mortality rate rose to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015, compared to 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014 -- with black infants in Ohio dying at nearly three times the rate as white infants.

To combat this, the statewide Ohio Baby Box program is being launched in partnership with the Cincinnati Health Department, Richland County Health Department, University Hospitals (UH) MacDonald Women's and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospitals, Muskingum Valley Health Centers, and Babies Need Boxes among other community health organizations. In 2017, the Ohio program will distribute up to approximately 140,000 Baby Boxes annually, ensuring that every expecting family in Ohio has access to this free resource regardless of socioeconomic background.

"Research tells us that two of the biggest contributors to sudden, unexplained infant death are premature birth and unsafe sleep arrangements," says Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, UH Clinical Diversity Officer and Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "This phenomenal safe sleep space program for newborns will help hospitals and nonprofits provide optimal, safe care to all expecting families in Ohio. We are grateful that The Baby Box Co. and Babies Need Boxes Ohio share in our mission to improve outcomes for mothers and their babies and to help solve the infant mortality crisis."

The Baby Boxes, which are made from a durable cardboard, can be used as a baby's bed for the first months of life. While parents appreciate the Baby Boxes and quality care products included, it is the educational component and closer communication with local healthcare providers that is at the center of the Baby Box University distribution model. Families will be required to view their community's online curriculum related to prenatal health, breastfeeding, safe sleep practices and newborn care before receiving a free Baby Box. In this way, the Baby Box University program model pays its ultimate homage to the Finnish tradition, which is committed not just to universal product distribution, but to supporting families with access to healthcare and education.

Hospitals and Nonprofits to Hold Launch Events Across Ohio to Give Away First Baby Boxes

Experts at UH MacDonald Women's and UH Rainbow Babies & Children's hospitals in Cleveland helped develop the Baby Box University syllabus for Ohio parents and are hosting a special Baby Box launch event open to all new and expecting families on Friday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Atrium at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (valet parking available at the main entrance of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 2101 Adelbert Rd., Cleveland OH 44106). To find out more details about the Cleveland event visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1846292352297309/.

A second launch event will be held in partnership with the Richland County Health Department in Mansfield at 2:30 p.m. at the Mansfield Area YMCA located at 750 Scholl Road, Mansfield, OH 44907 (parking lot is located off Scholl Road).

"Richland Public Health supports this collaborative approach to educate families and safeguard the health and well-being of our babies," said Richland Public Health Commissioner, Martin Tremmel. "The Baby Box Co. recognizes that a safe sleep environment coupled with parenting education is vital to provide to all families." 

To find out more details about the Mansfield event visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1457768654248095/.

How Ohio New Parents Can Get Their Free Baby Box

It takes only 3 easy steps for Ohio's expecting and new parents to get their free Baby Box:

1. Register for free online at babyboxuniversity.com as an Ohio resident. Be sure to include your correct contact information, including mailing address.
2. Watch the 10-15 minute Ohio syllabus at babyboxuniversity.com. After taking a short quiz, you will receive a certificate of completion and be able to select local pick-up or direct delivery of your Baby Box.
3. If you select direct delivery, your Baby Box will ship to the address you provided when you registered on Baby Box University. If you select local pick up, bring your Baby Box University certificate to the closest participating distribution partner to collect your Baby Box.

"I'm so proud to empower new parents in Ohio with the physical and educational resources they need to feel confident," said Jennifer Clary, the CEO of The Baby Box Co., which is supplying Ohio with the Baby Boxes and Baby Box University memberships. "Every parent has a right to the necessary tools to care for their infant and every child deserves a safe and supported start in life."

The brands included in the Baby Boxes are also committed to the program's education mission, with every product featuring a scientifically proven baby brain-boosting activity parents can do while using the item.

"We are proud to be part of the Baby Box programs, especially here in Ohio - Pampers' home state," said E. Yuri Hermida, vice president, North America Baby Care, P&G.  "As a brand dedicated to the happy, healthy development of babies for more than 50 years, we share Baby Box Co.'s important mission to support expecting parents with health education, and support new babies with a safe sleep environment."

All expecting parents living in Ohio are eligible to receive a Baby Box which includes newborn essentials such as Pampers Swaddlers diapers, Pampers baby wipes, Vroom activity cards from the Bezos Family Foundation, Lansinoh breast pads and nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers, onesie, and more.

The Baby Box Movement

The use of Baby Boxes has been credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. The initiative, which enables every expecting woman in the country to claim a free Baby Box once she receives prenatal care and parenting information from a healthcare professional, is credited with helping to decrease Finland's infant mortality rate from 65 deaths for each 1,000 children born in 1938 to 1.3 deaths per 1,000 births in 2013, according to the World Health Organization.

The success of the Finnish Baby Box intervention inspired the founders of The Baby Box Co. to adapt this tradition with enhanced multimedia parenting curricula through Baby Box University to the benefit of nonprofits, hospitals, government institutions and individual families worldwide. The Baby Box University program's exponential growth has solidified the model as an impactful safe sleep and parenting education intervention for millennials.

About The Baby Box Co.

Entrepreneurs Michelle Vick and Jennifer Clary founded The Baby Box Co. to offer a safe sleep environment to babies everywhere. The Baby Box Co. is an innovative, integrated program to support parents and improve maternal and infant healthcare outcomes globally. The Baby Box Co. partners with hospitals, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide Baby Boxes, quality products, resources and ongoing education to families on a large scale. Baby Boxes are also available direct to consumer either as a standalone item or filled with new baby essentials. Serving families in 52 countries, The Baby Box Co. has offices in USA, UK, Canada, and Singapore. For more information or to purchase a Baby Box, please visit www.babyboxco.com and www.babyboxuniversity.com.

SOURCE The Baby Box Co.

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