Stop Infant Deaths in Allegheny County
A growing public health crisis is claiming the lives of the county's youngest residents — and most of these tragedies are preventable. Since 2020, 95 babies in Allegheny County have died from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), with deaths more than doubling from nine in 2020 to 23 in 2024. Behind every number is a grieving family — and a powerful reminder that simple, lifesaving steps can make all the difference.
SUID, the leading cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age, often involves unsafe sleep environments such as adult beds, couches, or cluttered cribs. In 2024, every case reviewed included at least one unsafe sleep factor — despite most families having access to a safe sleep space and many receiving prior education.
"Every baby deserves to celebrate their first birthday. Through leadership, partnership, compassion, and action, we will work together to make sure more families in Allegheny County reach that milestone."
— Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato"Every infant death is a tragedy — and in far too many cases, it is preventable. We know what works. Babies should sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib. But we must go beyond sharing information — we must understand and address the real-life barriers families face and provide the support they need to keep their babies safe."
— Dr. Iulia Vann, Director, Allegheny County Health DepartmentThe ABCs of Safe Sleep: Simple, Proven, Lifesaving
Disparities Demand Action
Not all families are impacted equally — and that inequity is unacceptable. Black infants in Allegheny County die from SUID at rates two to three times higher than White infants. Between 2023 and 2025, Black infants were twice as likely to die.
"This is not about blaming parents — it's about addressing systemic barriers that families face every day. When families lack access to safe housing or basic resources, it directly impacts infant safety. If we want to save lives, we must invest in communities, strengthen maternal health, and meet families with compassion and culturally responsive care."
— Jada Shirriel, CEO, Healthy StartEducation Alone Is Not Enough
In 2024, all 23 families affected had already received safe sleep education from a medical professional — underscoring a critical gap between knowledge and practice. Factors such as exhaustion, stress, behavioral health challenges, and substance use can influence sleep decisions.
"Cribs for Kids was built on the belief that every family deserves not only the education but the tools they need to successfully follow safe sleeping practices to prevent suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."
— Judy Bannon, CEO & Founder, Cribs for KidsA Coordinated Response to Save Lives
The Allegheny County Health Department is convening state leaders, national experts, healthcare systems, and community partners to strengthen prevention efforts.
- Expanding safe sleep outreach with clear, culturally responsive messaging
- Improving data tracking and case review processes
- Addressing racial and socioeconomic inequities
- Strengthening connections between maternal health, mental health, and infant care
- Increasing access to safe sleep resources and support systems
Lawmakers Demand More Action After Shocking Testimony
After being discharged from the hospital while in labor, Mercedes Wells shared how she gave birth along a road in a Chevrolet Silverado after her health concerns were dismissed by health care professionals. At a House Majority Policy Committee hearing hosted by the Black Maternal Health Caucus, lawmakers highlighted the disparate outcomes facing Black mothers, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mothers.
"This is not a hearing about a single point of failure. This hearing amplifies the layered challenges across the entire continuum of maternal care — from implicit bias in clinical settings to limited access to prenatal and postpartum services to maternity care deserts in too many communities. The challenges are systemic. No family in Pennsylvania should be forced to worry about losing their life due to pregnancy complications."
— State Rep. Morgan Cephas, Co-Chair, PA Black Maternal Health Caucus"Black mothers face higher risks, and that is unacceptable. We need a fundamental shift in how the health care system listens to its patients and cares for Black mothers before, during, and after pregnancy. Every mother deserves safe, respectful, and high-quality care. The time to act is now."
— State Rep. Gina H. Curry, Co-Chair, PA Black Maternal Health CaucusThe CEO at the hospital that discharged Wells acknowledged she was discharged moments before giving birth, publicly apologized, promised policy changes and cultural competency training for staff, and noted a doctor and a nurse lost their jobs.
"Black moms are not always heard, and too often, the consequences can be tragic and deadly. Until all lawmakers prioritize targeted legislation, this crisis will continue. That's why I am introducing the Pennsylvania WELLS Act to keep hospitals accountable for the care they provide."
— State Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes, Co-Chair, PA Black Maternal Health CaucusMore than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, according to the CDC. The PA Momnibus 2.0 is a comprehensive legislative package consisting of 12 bills, including five bills that have already passed the House. In October 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed two key components of the first PA Momnibus package into law, including Medicaid reimbursement for doula services and a statewide public awareness campaign on postpartum depression.
Pittsburgh Focus: Maternal Health Wins — PA MOMNIBUS 2025 Day
The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus held their PA MOMNIBUS 2025 Day at the state Capitol, celebrating progress from the previous legislative session and unveiling the new PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 legislative package for the 2025–26 session.
Co-Chair Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, led the day with a news conference celebrating the caucus's continued efforts and legislative wins.
"We are building on the successes we had in the last legislative session. We're continuing to advocate for policy-based legislative solutions to the way we face maternal health deserts in rural communities and the urban core; we're addressing substance abuse disorder because it's a driver of post-partum death; we're looking to uplift midwifery and center midwives in our fight."
— Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny"We're standing here today because mothers are still dying when they don't have to. We are driven by the statistic that 93.5% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. We are not doing this work in vain; we are lifting up each of those lives that have been lost."
— Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-DelawareThe House Health Committee approved two pieces of legislation in the package: House Bill 1212 (the PA Dads Matter Act) and H.B. 1234, which would expand Medical Assistance programs to cover blood pressure monitors as a pregnancy-related service. H.B. 1088, which would require insurance coverage of blood-pressure monitors, became the first bill in the package to pass the full House of Representatives.
"We're watching closely the steps being taken at the federal level to cut Medicaid for our communities. We know that will be detrimental to so many of our families. Medicaid covers nearly 41% of all births in the United States, and these draconian cuts would eliminate a lifeline for millions of pregnant women."
— Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-PhiladelphiaGet Your Flu Shot: Stay Safe in Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen, and Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys visited River Valley Health in Williamsport to encourage all Pennsylvanians to get their annual flu shot and keep themselves protected against the virus as respiratory virus season begins.
As the federal government sows confusion around vaccine recommendations, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has taken action to protect Pennsylvanians' access to vaccines and safeguard personal freedoms. Pennsylvania's State Board of Medicine, State Board of Nursing, and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine voted to formally endorse the Pennsylvania Department of Health's new vaccine guidance, giving doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and families clear, evidence-based standards to follow.
"As a father, son, and husband, I view it as my responsibility to get vaccinated, so I can keep myself and my family healthy and protected from the flu, which puts hundreds of thousands of Americans in the hospital every year. Newborns and infants are incredibly vulnerable to the flu, so it's important to keep levels low in our communities to protect our youngest Pennsylvanians."
— Lt. Governor Austin DavisPittsburgh Mental Health Initiatives Grow
Pennsylvania leadership joined suicide prevention advocacy groups and Pennsylvanians affected by suicide to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The event shared resources and information on how people can help others experiencing suicidal ideation or a mental health crisis, and uplifted stories of people from groups with heightened risk — including older adults, farmers, veterans, Black youth, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2023, suicide was the cause of more than 49,000 deaths in the United States, including over 1,900 Pennsylvanians. Long-term data shows that suicide rates increased 37% between 2000–2018, returned to their peak in 2022.
"DHS is honored to work alongside our agency colleagues and suicide prevention organizations to share stories of suicide loss and raise awareness about how to get help, reduce stigma, and to offer hope. The more we talk about our mental health and check in with our loved ones, the more we can help people feel safe talking about what's going on beneath the surface."
— Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh"It's impossible to ignore the rise and toll of suicide loss for our youth, especially our most vulnerable youth, in Black communities. The state's continued investment in suicide prevention and youth mental health is so important and makes Pennsylvania unique leaders for the nation."
— Stephen Sharp, Co-Leader, Pennsylvania Black Youth Suicide WorkgroupGovernor Shapiro has invested $40 million for county mental health programs, $5 million for crisis stabilization walk-in centers, and $200 million for student mental health supports and school safety. Pennsylvania has 14 call centers affiliated with the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. More than 11,000 calls were made to 988 in Pennsylvania alone in August 2025, with nearly 7,000 chats. More than 90% of calls are resolved without the assistance of EMS or law enforcement.
If you or a loved one are in crisis:
Call or Text 988
Free, confidential support 24/7 — 988lifeline.org
Join the Home Support Movement in Pittsburgh
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has launched its first-ever marketing campaign to promote its Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) housing program — opening homes to offer a family-like living environment, daily support, and supervision to adults aged 18 and older who are unable to live independently yet do not require the level of care provided by a long-term care facility.
Dom Care providers receive monthly compensation and many other rewards. Governor Josh Shapiro's 2024–25 budget proposal includes $5.2 million for Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging to offer and expand innovative housing initiatives. There are currently 286 Dom Care providers serving 538 residents in Pennsylvania.
"The Dom Care program offers a person the opportunity to live in a safe, caring home with a host provider who has the room, capability, compassion, and understanding to supply the basic necessities so the residents can live and thrive in their communities in a home setting."
— Secretary of Aging Jason KavulichThe program is available in 31 counties including Allegheny, Philadelphia, and Westmoreland. Dom Care providers must be aged 21 and older and receive certification by the local Area Agency on Aging to provide supportive services in their home to no more than three eligible individuals.
Learn More About Dom Care →Pittsburgh Hospital Earns Black Maternal Health Honor
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, a worldwide leader in women's health and research, has been recognized for its success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report — the only hospital in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition. This recognition came during Black Maternal Health Week, April 11–17, 2024.
The U.S. News analysis of all high-performing maternity care hospitals in the U.S. identified just 26 hospitals achieving excellent outcomes for cesarean section and unexpected newborn complications among Black patients. For the last few years, the use of doulas has been a major focus at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital for all underserved women. The Birth Circle Doulas of Magee program provides individualized doula support at no cost for at-risk women experiencing a disproportionate disadvantage from adverse social determinants of health during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
"We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. Here at UPMC, our providers, nurses, hospital staff and community members are all working toward health equity and creating positive birthing experiences for all vulnerable populations — especially pregnant people of color."
— Richard Beigi, M.D., President, UPMC Magee-Womens HospitalAddressing Black Suicide Trends: Culturally Informed Prevention Strategies
Suicide deaths among Black adults in the United States were rising before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trend has persisted. While rates tend to be highest for adolescents and young adults, research has shown that rising rates continue across lifespans.
Kamesha Spates, the William S. Dietrich II Chair and associate professor of Africana studies in Pitt's Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, wanted to understand how prepared communities were to tackle this crisis. Working with researchers from Kent State and Auburn University, the team turned to northeast Ohio, where suicide rates among Black residents rose more than 100% between 2011 and 2021.
"People were engaged and aware of general issues their communities faced — but when it came to suicide specifically, people were less informed. There's a misconception that it just isn't really an issue for Black people. 'Black people don't commit suicide. That's not something we do.' That's a misconception."
— Kamesha Spates, Pitt Africana StudiesThe research, published in the journal Death Studies, found that raising awareness alone won't be enough to help communities reverse suicide trends. The researchers' next step is to return to the communities they surveyed — not with a plan to fix everything, but to work with communities to develop culturally relevant suicide prevention and intervention strategies tailored to each community's specific needs.
"The solution isn't to name the problem and throw money at it from afar. The community guides how the issue is understood and what solutions are best — making sure they are culturally appropriate."
— Jenny Cureton, Professor, Kent State University"This is an encouraging time to tackle a very disturbing trend. Leaders within the local community and the state, as well as expert professionals, respected stars and others with influence are speaking powerfully about the problem of Black suicide, and positively about ways to address it."
— Jenny CuretonBlack Churches Lead Community Support: Pitt's TRIBUTE Program Trains Congregants in Counseling
Researchers from Pitt's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences are helping address racial disparities in mental health care by training congregants of Black churches in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood and Wilkinsburg Borough in counseling skills, creating new entry points for residents to access services.
"Because I'm on the ground and in conversation with residents, what became evident to me is that mental health care is lacking in the Homewood area. This is a discussion that people of color historically haven't talked about."
— Channing Moreland, Former Director, Pitt Community Engagement Center in HomewoodIn 2021, Moreland and faculty members Laura Dietz and Quiana Golphin created TRIBUTE: Training Religious Leaders In Bereavement Counseling to Upskill Treatment Experiences. The premise is simple: relying on church leaders in Black communities will reduce the stigma associated with accessing treatment and normalize conversations about mental health.
"One thing about the Black church is that we are agents of social change because of our experience with injustice. This is not something we say — it is something we do because of lived experience. Clergy within Black churches are trusted pillars for the community and first responders to crisis, tragedies and loss in the neighborhoods they serve."
— Jonathon Counts, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Homewood AME Zion Church PastorGraduates of the training, called Emotional Support Advocates, implement the program in their congregations under the supervision of licensed mental health providers. After four counseling sessions, individuals have the option to continue with a bereavement support group or receive assistance accessing additional mental health services at Primary Health Care Services, a federally qualified health center.
"Often, people of color want to receive mental health treatment from trained individuals rooted in their communities with shared experiences, but there's a shortage of clinicians of color in the field. TRIBUTE increases the number of people available to deliver culturally responsive counseling and increases access to mental health services."
— Laura Dietz, Associate Professor, PittDamar Hamlin's PSA Promotes CPR — Pittsburgh Youth Participate
Pittsburgh high school football players from various schools got a chance to meet and participate in a new PSA for the American Heart Association featuring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin serves as the national ambassador to the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, encouraging all fans to learn CPR as a lifesaving skill.
Isaiah Beckham, a senior at Shady Side Academy, was excited to meet Hamlin and to be selected to work with him on this national PSA. "As a football player for Shady Side Academy I am more aware of the importance of learning CPR because of Damar Hamlin. Working with him on this PSA opened my eyes and heart to how young people need to learn CPR — it literally can save lives."
"You never know when it's going to be your opportunity to step in and save a life. CPR and AEDs — are why I'm still here today. Giving someone the skills and power to save a life is a superpower if you ask me."
— Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills Safety & Cardiac Arrest SurvivorWith nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important. The Nation of Lifesavers effort works to improve the survival rate for the more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival.
Watch the PSA →PA Signs Historic Breast Cancer Legislation
Governor Josh Shapiro signed the first bill of his Administration — Act 1 of 2023, a first-of-its-kind law in the nation that will require insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost. This landmark legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, passed both the House and the Senate unanimously.
The law removes out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancer syndromes — as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer.
"For Black women, the statistics are even more alarming, as breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death for Black women at an alarming rate of 31%. But there is hope — now as a result of this new law, more Pennsylvanians will have access to the screening and genetic counseling that can lead to an early diagnosis and save lives."
— Speaker Joanna McClinton"I am proud that the first bill I have signed as Governor is a bill that passed both chambers unanimously — with Democrats and Republicans coming together to improve access to critically important healthcare and save countless lives in Pennsylvania."
— Governor Josh ShapiroBlood Shortage Hits Pittsburgh — Your Donation Can Save Lives
We're facing a severe blood shortage — our national blood supply has fallen by 35% over the past month. During a blood shortage, doctors may face difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. There is urgent need for donors to help patients following accidents, during surgeries, and for treatment of conditions such as sickle cell disease and cancer.
Why the Shortage Is Happening
- Extreme Weather: Winter storms have forced hundreds of blood drives to cancel
- Illness: High rates of flu and other respiratory illnesses are sidelining potential donors
- Hospital Demand: Hospital requests for blood products have outpaced donations
- Low Donor Pool: Only a small percentage of eligible Americans donate blood
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