Newsletter Spotlight:

Black Maternal Health: Amplify the Conversation and Act

The Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) Director’s Message from Dr. Janine A. Clayton:

Black women die from pregnancy complications two to three times more than their White and Hispanic counterparts, according to a January 30, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report containing the first national data on maternal deaths in the United States since 2007. Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17) helps keep this heartbreaking health disparity front and center, where it belongs. When our sisters, mothers, daughters, friends, and co-workers are in danger, we need to do more. We all need to elevate and amplify the national conversation to raise awareness, spur action, and take steps to address Black maternal health. We know that about 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and these new data are an important tool to guide our efforts...”

Read More About the Director's Message

ORWH’s efforts to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM) include co-funding relevant research, production of print and online publications, participation in professional conferences and workshops, and raising public awareness through the media. You can read more about MMM and associated ORWH initiatives on the ORWH MMM web portal and learn more about Black Maternal Health Week here.

This National Minority Health Month the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will feature the theme Active & Healthy and focus on safe ways all communities can stay physically active and advance mental and emotional wellness. Additionally, OMH invites everyone to join #ActiveandHealthy, a national social media campaign that will focus on the steps we can take every day in and around the house to keep our minds and bodies active, consistent with the social distancing guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Download the bilingual OMH NMHM2020 Toolkit to access resources, sample social media messages and downloadable graphics to increase awareness about #NMHM2020 and encourage others to get involved in this effort.

Learn More about NMHM 2020

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children's Bureau recognizes April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month with the theme, "Strong and Thriving Families." Visit the ACF website for a resource guide, tip sheets, social media graphics/messaging and more. Prevent Child Abuse America provides parenting tips, activity toolkits, statistics, reports and other resources on child abuse and neglect.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline offers crisis intervention, information and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources. Assistance is available in over 170 languages. Call or text 1-800-422-4453 if you or anyone you know is in need of help.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) are hosting four listening sessions about child trafficking and exploitation during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Each listening session will include a brief presentation and a facilitated discussion during which you may share information and ask questions related to the topic.

Learn More

COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

Current CDC Guidance on Preventing COVID-19

You can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking these actions:

(1) Cover your cough (using your elbow is a good technique).
(2) Avoid people who are sick.
(3) Clean your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For additional information on preventing COVID-19 disease, please visit CDC’s Prevention for 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Resources:

The HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and The White House have developed a COVID-19 specific website, Coronavirus.gov. It includes information on symptoms, social distancing and more.
The HHS Office on Civil Rights (OCR) has released a bulletin on Civil Rights, HIPAA and COVID-19.
UnidosUS has created a video series on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: UnidosUS CARES: Explaining COVID-19 Relief for Latino Families. The videos are available in English and Spanish.
The Urban Indian Health Institute has created COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Tribes and Urban Indian Communities.
The National Association of Community Health Centers will host the webinar series, Leading in the Crisis: Flattening the COVID-19 Curve, every Thursday, 1:00 pm ET. The webinars will run through April, and recordings of past presentations are available.

New COVID-19 Funding for Tribes: Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response

CDC has announced a new notice of funding opportunity, Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response (CDC-RFA-OT20-2004). Visit the COVID-19 Funding for Tribes web page to learn more.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide emergency funding for federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, consortia of federally recognized tribes, or their bona fide agents that represent tribal components of the public health system to carry out COVID-19 preparedness and response activities.

Applications are due 11:59:59 pm (EDT), May 31, 2020.

If you have questions about this funding opportunity, email TribalCOVIDnofo@cdc.gov.