This year marks 61 years of newborn screening (NBS)! In honor of this vital public health milestone, Baby’s First Test, a program of Expecting Health,  will continue our annual tradition of sharing newborn screening facts and stories while sharing fun new activities in which we can all participate. Below are all the materials you need to join our newborn screening awareness month campaign and help us celebrate 61 years of life-changing achievements!

When sharing post, picture, video, or story during NBS Awareness Month, use #2024NBS to join our larger awareness campaign and the national dialogue. 

Check out our 2024 NBS Awareness Social Media Toolkit

Newborn Screening Activity Corner

Let's raise awareness for newborn screening and have fun while doing it! Here are two activities that will inspire you to get creative as you celebrate 60 years of newborn screening. 

1. Create a sign celebrating newborn screening awareness month.

Get creative and get your family and friends involved! Use markers, colored pencils, crayons, paint, glitter/glitter glue, fuzzy pom poms, etc., to make your creation come to life. If you choose to post your designs on social media, make sure to include #2024NBS in your caption so that we can see and share them with the rest of the newborn screening community. If you'd rather us post your creations for you, email them toNatasha Bonhomme.

Post and Share Messages on Social Media 

Sample messages to share on your social media platforms: 

• September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month! To learn more about #newbornscreening and what to expect, visit BabysFirstTest.org. #2024NBS
• Did you know there are three parts to #newbornscreening? The blood test (or heel stick), the hearing screen, and the pulse oximetry test. Learn more about what to expect from your baby’s first test: https://bit.ly/3cSMRIz #2024NBS
• Each year, about 12,500 babies are born with one of the conditions included in state #newbornscreening panels: https://bit.ly/3PduoqE #2024NBS
• Did you know that not every state screens for the same #newbornscreening conditions? Find out which conditions your state screens for here: https://bit.ly/2TEKgE1  #2024NBS
• Learn from other families, in their own words, what their #newbornscreening journey has been like: https://bit.ly/2MnE6Yk #2024NBS

Educational Resources to Share 

Looking for newborn screening educational resources to share? Our Newborn Screening Resource Center has many excellent English and Spanish resources from our team and organizations nationwide. 

Awareness Month Activities From our Partners 

How are you raising awareness for newborn screening? To let us and others know what you are doing throughout the month, email Natasha Bonhomme.