Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Guide for Health Departments and Community-Based Organizations

Shaken Baby Syndrom (SBS) is often seen as a crime, but it is also a preventable public health problem. State and local health departments and community-based organizations (CBOs) have ties to broader resources and programs, and strong connections in communities. Both health departments and CBOs can take a leading role in reframing the issue and engaging all members of a community to take part in the prevention of SBS.

The purpose of this guide is to help your organizations identify your role and to take action to protect infants from SBS. It outlines steps to implement evidence-based intervention strategies, to integrate specific education messages into existing programs for new parents, caregivers, professionals, and the general public, and to engage in activities that impact policy development that are effective in preventing SBS.