The March of Dimes

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The March of Dimes

• Saving babies, together

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Overview

• Our Mission
• The March of Dimes in Action
• Resources Available for Health Professionals
• Upcoming Events

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Our Mission

• To improve the health of babies by preventing
  birth defects and infant mortality.

• This mission is carried out through
• research programs
• community services
• education
• and advocacy.

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From Polio to Prematurity
The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by
Franklin D. Roosevelt to defeat Polio.

• The March of Dimes...
• funded scientists, including Dr. Salk who
  ultimately discovered the Polio vaccine
• trained health workers on treatment protocols
• and provided support to polio patients.

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From Polio to Prematurity

• Today the March of Dimes is...
• Searching for the causes of premature birth
• Working to decrease the rate of premature birth
• Investing in genetic research to find answers
  about birth defects
• Promoting folic acid to prevent neural tube
  defects
• And more...

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What else does the March of Dimes do?

• Advocates to ensure all babies, children and
  pregnant women get health insurance
• Provides parents with resources on pregnancy and
  newborn health
• Provides grants to community organizations that
  work towards March of Dimes priorities
• Provides educational tools for Health Care
  Professionals

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Key Issues in North Carolina

• 13.3 of babies are born preterm
• 9.0 of babies are born with low
  birthweight
• In 2001, birth defects accounted for about
  1 in 5 infant deaths
• The preterm birth rate is highest for black
  infants, at a rate almost 50 greater than white
  infants
• In 2002, 22.3 of NC women reported smoking,
  compared to 20.9 of U.S. women overall

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Resources for Health Professionals

• http//www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/
• PeriStats provides free access to US, state,
  city, and county maternal infant health data.
• You can obtain state summaries and quick facts
  about preterm birth, infant mortality, smoking,
  etc.
• In 2 clicks, you can create graphs and maps that
  illustrate and compare over 15 statistics

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Preterm birth North Carolina, 1999-2002 Average
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Smoking among women North Carolina and US,
1998-2002
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Resources for Health Professionals, cont.

• Over 60 Fact Sheets available online
• http//www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/
• Sample titles
• Caffeine in Pregnancy
• Stress and Pregnancy
• Pregnancy after 35
• Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
• Newborn Screening Tests

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Resources for Health Professionals, cont.

• Brochures Pamphlets http//www.marchofdimes.com/
  professionals

• Nursing modules, 20 each
• Sample titles
• Cultural Competence in the Care of
  Childbearing Families
• Preconception Health Promotion
  A Focus for Women's Wellness
• The Premature Infant Nursing Assessment and
  Management
• To order a Product Catalogue, call (800)
  367-6630.

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Resources for Health Professionals, cont.

• http//www.marchofdimes.com/hbhb/
• HBHB gives companies access to a wealth of high
  quality pregnancy and newborn health content that
  is
• cost-effective
• easy to manage promote directly to your employees
  
• easy to access via your company Intranet or Web
  site

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The NC Medical JournalMay/June 2004
Issuencmedicaljournal.com
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Upcoming Events

• Changing the Face of Prematurity
• A Womens Health Perspective
• Tuesday, October 12
• 800 AM - 400 PM
• UNC-Greensboro
• Elliott University Center

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Thank you.