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Birth Defects Prevention Month 2010

Greetings:

January is Birth Defects Prevention Month!

The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) is pleased to provide you with the enclosed packet of resource materials for use during Birth Defects Prevention Month, January 2010. We hope you find these materials helpful in providing information about birth defects to families, colleagues, and policy makers.

2010 Packet Materials:

Additional Materials :

 

Every year we select one area of focus in an effort to increase awareness of a topic and to spark prevention activity across the country. This year’s theme focuses on addressing diabetes in women of childbearing age as a risk factor for birth defects. Studies have demonstrated that the key to a healthy pregnancy for a woman with diabetes is keeping blood glucose in a target range -- both before she is pregnant and during her pregnancy.  Although much has been learned about diabetes during the past year, babies born to women with diabetes, especially women with poor control of diabetes, are still at greater risk for birth defects.

The purpose of this packet is to provide you and your colleagues with information about diabetes and pregnancy, both prenatal and during pregnancy, and the importance of maintaining glucose levels for optimum fetal outcome. Although diabetes has been identified as a public health concern, emerging evidence is showing that the general public is unaware of the complications that uncontrolled diabetes can have on both the pregnant woman and her fetus.  It is hoped that the materials in this packet will not only assist health care providers in helping women to have healthy babies but also to recognize that the identification of diabetes in the general female population is also essential in the healthy outcome of a baby.  Please take the time to look through this packet and become familiar with the materials. We would hope that you will be able to use these materials in the education of providers who deliver any type of health care to the population that may be at risk for developing diabetes.

We would like to know how you used these materials. Please remember to complete the evaluation form, which can be found on the left side of the packet or online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4ytEnLH_2frl295vhpz0xU6Q_3d_3d.

This packet was compiled by the Education and Outreach Committee of the NBDPN.  The NBDPN consists of individuals and organizations working at the local, state, and national levels in birth defects surveillance, research, and prevention. For more information about the NBDPN, visit our website at http://www.nbdpn.org. The materials in the packet are from a variety of sources. Those developed by the NBDPN Education and Outreach Committee are available on the NBDPN website. Materials from CDC and March of Dimes can be obtained directly from them, many for free.

Questions about materials or about activities of the Committee can be directed to Mary Knapp at 609-292-5676, mary.knapp@doh.state.nj.us; or Cara Mai at (404) 498-3918, cwm7@cdc.gov. Thank you for helping promote birth defect prevention and awareness, especially during Birth Defects Prevention Month, January 2010.

Sincerely, 

Mary Knapp                                                                 LaShunda Williams
Education & Outreach Committee co-chair                   Education & Outreach Committee co-chair
New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Srvs.         Mississippi Department of Health

 
 
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