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March of Dimes, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute Announce Prematurity Prevention Initiative

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 November 2006, 00:00 CST

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The March of Dimes and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., today announced a Prematurity Prevention Initiative in Kentucky to see if bundling together proven interventions can lower a community's rate of preterm births.

Officials announced the three-year initiative at Norton Suburban Hospital here.

The partnership includes the Kentucky Department of Health and several Kentucky hospitals. It will provide expectant mothers, the community, and healthcare professionals with clinical, educational and public-health interventions, including screening for chronic conditions; consistent care before, during and between pregnancies; professional education; and consumer awareness campaigns.

If the initiative is effective, it could be replicated.

"Our partnership with the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute underscores the private sector commitment to preventing premature birth," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "On this national Prematurity Awareness Day, we join with parents across the nation in calling on Congress to pass the PREEMIE Act. America must not allow the cries of these babies to go unheeded."

The PREEMIE Act passed the Senate (S. 707) in August, but is stalled in the House (HR 2861). It would establish a Surgeon General's Conference on premature birth.

More than 508,000 U.S. babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks gestation) each year. Babies who survive face risks of lifelong health challenges. Even late preterm babies, born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, have a greater likelihood of developing health problems.

"Premature birth takes an enormous toll on families and on society," said Bonnie J. Petrauskas, a director of the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute. "Through a comprehensive educational effort that supports medical professionals and helps communities take action, we hope to ensure healthier outcomes for mothers and babies."

Visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/15796_22258.asp for an online press kit.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/ or its Spanish language Web site at http://www.nacersano.org/.

The Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is a nonprofit entity dedicated to saving mothers and infants by addressing global health priorities through education in collaboration with health care systems. For more information please visit http://www.jjpi.com/.

The March of Dimes

CONTACT: Elizabeth Lynch, March of Dimes, +1-914-997-4286,+1-914-953-1089, elynch@marchofdimes.com; Jennifer Robinson, gabbegroup,+1-212-220-4444, jenn.robinson@gabbe.com, for Johnson & Johnson PediatricInstitute

Web site: http://www.marchofdimes.com/http://www.nacersano.org/http://www.jjpi.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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