HBS materials may be adapted and translated to fit country Photo Credit: Amy Fowler/USAID
needs of the curricula within existing ENC, EmONC, IMNCI or other
training programs. Changes in materials may include adaptations of
images for the local setting and minor content modifications to align
with local health authority guidelines for newborn care. Guidance on
modification and adaptation is available at [Link]/translation.
Helping Babies Survive (HBS) is an initiative of the American
Please address your requests for modification of learning Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), developed in collaboration with WHO, and
materials to the AAP at hbs@[Link]. You will need to provide the supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Save the
following information: Children, Latter-day Saint Charities, Laerdal Global Health, Johnson & Johnson,
• The name of the organization requesting the modification and and a number of other global health organizations.
contact person
HBS is suite of evidence-based
• The name of the country where the materials are to be used
• Confirmation that the request is consistent with local Ministry of educational training programs
Health guidelines developed by the AAP to reduce
• Specific and image or wording change descriptions, with page neonatal mortality in resource-limited
number and location environments. The HBS initiative
consists of four programs:
Upon review and approval by the AAP, detailed specifications Helping Babies Breathe (HBB)
Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB)
will be provided for each of the print files. All adapted materials Essential Care for Small Babies (ECSB)
must contain a specific and complete copyright and acknowledgement Improving Care of Mothers and Babies (ICMB)
statement, which will be provided by the AAP. Organizations or agencies
requesting modifications and translations will be responsible for
Together, the programs address the three most
executing all approved changes. common causes of preventable neonatal deaths
Want to know more about Helping Babies Survive?
Visit our website [Link]
Find us on . [Link]/HelpingBabiesSurvive
[Link]/HelpingBabiesSurvive
Follow us on . @AAPGlobalHealth
Email us hbs@[Link]
HBS began with the Helping Babies Breathe training program, HBS programs have been implemented in more
which focuses on teaching birth attendants neonatal resuscitation techniques,
and has been shown to reduce neonatal mortality by up to 47%. The newly than 75 countries, targeting the Sustainable
released HBB 2nd Edition includes scientific updates to harmonize with 2015 Development Goal countries.
ILCOR Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations, and 2012
WHO Basic Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines. It also features strengthened
advice for facilitation of learning and program implementation, based on
feedback from the global community of users and lessons learned during
implementation by the Survive & Thrive Global Development Alliance.
The success of HBB increased demand for additional curricula to
address other leading causes of newborn death and initiated the development
of two more HBS programs:
Essential Care for Every Baby teaches health providers essential
newborn care practices to keep all babies healthy from the time of birth to
discharge from the facility.
Essential Care for Small Babies builds on the skills taught in ECEB,
guiding providers on the specialized care small and preterm babies need.
Improving Care of Mothers and Babies describes six steps to improve
care and introduces learners to simple tools that they can use to implement HBS programs have a systems-based focus designed to change
initiatives in their facilities. and improve clinical practices across systems of care. The HBS
curricula can be used as stand-alone programs, integrated with one another,
or integrated with a country’s existing health infrastructure.
To facilitate implementation, HBS training resources have been
translated into many languages. These materials are conveniently available for
free access and download by visiting the AAP International Resources site:
[Link]
The use of low-cost, realistic simulators and highly pictorial
learning materials makes the Helping Babies Survive suite of programs
very accessible to audiences in resource-limited countries around the world.
Each program includes visual guidebooks, flipcharts and posters containing
clear, specific instructions for healthcare providers to follow after the birth of
a baby. Because no electricity or specialized technology is required all HBS
programs can easily be taught anywhere learners can come together.