As San Antonio continues to grapple with infant health outcomes that fall behind state and national averages, Metro Health is inviting families to its 13th annual Baby Buggy Walk in the Park & Health Expo.
The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Ramon V. Quintero Community Center at Southside Lions Park, 3100 Hiawatha St. It coincides with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and aims to raise awareness about pregnancy loss and infant mortality. RSVP is recommended and can be made via Metro Health’s website.
The expo is a part of Metro Health’s Healthy Families Network coalition and is geared toward educating families about prenatal and infant health. The expo will feature educational booths by local vendors, an immunization drive, family activities and games, prizes and free produce giveaways at the park. Prizes include items that support infant health, such as car seats, safe sleep supplies and breastfeeding resources.
Kori Eberle, health program manager at Healthy Start, said that in the years since the first Baby Buggy Walk, she’s seen the event make a big difference for families.
“Infant mortality is still a problem in our community,” Eberle said. “We have rates that are higher than the state and the national levels. So it’s something that we just need to keep working on.”
The annual walk serves as both a celebration of healthy families and a space to honor babies lost before their first birthday. Eberle said many families return year after year to remember loved ones and celebrate “rainbow babies” born after a loss, and to connect with others who have shared similar experiences.
October also marks Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. That occasion is reflected in the event’s emphasis on safe sleep practices: babies should always be put to sleep alone, on their backs, in a clear crib with nothing else in it. According to Eberle, sleep-related deaths are one of the leading causes of infant mortality in San Antonio.
Organizers also hope that the event connects families with health-related resources they may not know exist. About one-quarter of local mothers do not receive prenatal care during the first trimester, Eberle said, despite the importance of early screenings and assessments for both parent and baby.
Zita Powell, coordinator of the Healthy Families Network coalition, said that community events can make difficult public health topics more accessible.
“We really want our moms and dads and babies to know that there is a whole community out there with resources and education,” Powell said. “We really want a healthier San Antonio.”
By combining lifesaving health information with games and prizes, organizers hope that the event can turn awareness about infant mortality into action and help prevent infant health complications before they occur.
Free, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 3100 Hiawatha St., (210) 207-4725, sa.gov .
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