Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome Before It Happens

SALT LAKE COUNTY—In response to ongoing gaps in infant abuse prevention education across Utah, Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) has launched a new partnership with the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) to deliver proven prevention education directly to families during the most critical early weeks of a baby's life.

Thanks to the generous support from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Salt Lake County home visiting programs now integrate the Period of PURPLE Crying program— an evidence-based shaken baby prevention program—into services reaching nearly 700 families each month. The initiative focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand normal infant crying (the leading trigger for shaking) and respond safely during high-stress moments.

Shaken baby syndrome and the related abusive head trauma is the leading cause of death in children under 5 in the United States, yet many families never receive prevention education before leaving the hospital. Public health officials say that makes community-based prevention efforts essential.

"Too often, families are left without clear guidance during one of the most stressful periods of parenting," said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. "This partnership allows us to reach caregivers early with practical information that can prevent irreversible harm."

The Period of PURPLE Crying program is designed to be delivered quickly—in as little as three to five minutes—and includes a mobile app and materials in both English and Spanish that families can use at home. SLCoHD staff across home visiting, WIC and immunization programs have access to specialized training to ensure consistent, trauma-informed delivery.

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS), headquartered in Utah, has implemented the program worldwide and credits it with measurable reductions in abusive head trauma where it is widely adopted. Recent studies associate the Period of PURPLE Crying program with a 35% reduction in shaken-baby head trauma in children under 2 years old and a 30% decrease in hospitalization rates for physical abuse in children under 2 years old overall.

"Infant crying is normal, but without the right information, it can overwhelm even the most loving caregivers," said Danielle Vázquez, executive director of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. "By partnering with Salt Lake County Health Department, we're making sure families receive prevention education when it matters most—before a crisis occurs."

Public health leaders say the initiative reflects a broader shift toward preventing child abuse before it occurs, rather than responding after harm has already happened.

SLCoHD's home visiting programs are currently enrolling new families. The programs are FREE to eligible families in the county; visit SLCo.to/HomeVisiting to find a program that may be right for your family.

Interviews are available with:

• a mother enrolled in a Salt Lake County home visiting program;
• a home visiting staff member;
• an expert in preventing shaken-baby syndrome