"Studies show that the gap between Black and white infant death rates in the country has widened over the last 30 years. Although some past studies point to genetics as the cause, recent research suggests that it may be chronic stress brought on by societal oppression, including “experiences of racism,” according to a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2008. “It’s been established that Black women are at higher risk for this and, at the same time, that’s not something the medical community is always aware of or responding to,” Priska Neely, a senior reporter covering early childhood for public radio station KPCC, tells PEOPLE. “There’s a lack of awareness about how this is connected to larger societal issues.”

The CDC's Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) uncovered a stunning link between childhood trauma and the chronic diseases people develop as adults, as well as social and emotional problems. This includes heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and many autoimmune diseases, as well as depression, violence, being a victim of violence, and suicide."Connect with ACES Connection and Jane Stevens' work and learn your ACES and Resilience scores, and what you can do to help those around you.ACES resources: Parenting to prevent and heal ACEsUnderstanding ACES 

The Big Payback, a community-wide, online giving day hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, returns on Thursday, May 2, and Attachment Parenting International is thrilled to be participating!

The 2019 charitable event will help to support our programs, as well as, celebrate the good work of participating Tennessee nonprofits, schools, and religious institutions. In the past five years, the region’s generosity was astonishing as our community rallied together to raise a total of $12.5 million for nearly 1,000 area organizations.

How does The Big Payback work? Kicking off at midnight on Thursday, May 2, donors can make gifts online to The Big Payback’s participants located in or providing services to the 40 counties included in Tennessee. Your contributions to Attachment Parenting International could be amplified by additional incentives, bonuses, and prizes made possible by The Big Payback sponsors throughout the day.

For more information, please visit https://www.thebigpayback.org/AttachmentParenting/