Photo by Jaye Haych on Unsplash
The county’s annual free maternal health resource fair will be Saturday, Aug. 10 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.
The “Right from the Start” fair is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the hospital’s conference center at 1500 Forest Glen Road, per a release from the county. The event is free but online registration is required.
The fair “focuses on supporting Black children and families from preconception through early childhood,” per the release. Attendees can engage with county services and programs, meet community partners, listen to maternal health experts, win prizes and giveaways, according to a flyer. There will be activities for kids, prizes and giveaways and complimentary refreshments.
Per the release, births within the Black/African American population made up 35% of fetal and infant losses in 2022 despite being 21% of births in the county.
Speakers include County Department of Health and Human Services Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Nina Ashford and County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis, among others.
The fair coincides with National Breastfeeding Month and will cover topics including breastfeeding, preconception, prenatal health, community support for families, mental health and more, according to the release.
In a written statement, County Executive Marc Elrich said, “Prenatal care is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Infants who do not receive proper prenatal care are three times more likely to be born with low birth weight and five times more likely to die in their first year. I urge pregnant women and those considering pregnancy, especially Black women, to attend this event and learn how to give their baby a healthy start.”
The event is organized by the DHHS Babies Born Healthy program for the African American Health Program, Early Childhood Services and Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program.
