March of Dimes calls for action to reduce smoking, increase folic acid consumption - Community partnerships and call to action to improve birth outcomes are focus of Mayor’s Prematurity Awareness Breakfast
05-Nov-08
A coalition of businesses and medical professionals, led by the March of Dimes, will join Mayor Phil Gordon at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 10 at Phoenix City Hall for the 2nd annual Mayor’s Prematurity Awareness Breakfast.  The event was developed to bring together community leaders to discuss issues and opportunities related to improving birth outcomes and reducing the rate of premature birth, the leading killer of newborns. Arizona ranks 33rd in the nation for preterm birth.

The program includes a call to action to increase consumption of folic acid among women of childbearing age, which is proven to reduce the rate of neural tube birth defects like spina bifida, and expand participation in smoking cessation programs offered by Arizona Department of Health Services and the March of Dimes.


Mayor Gordon will encourage strengthening community and businesses partnerships with the March of Dimes and present an award to Teresa Stickler, owner of Melrose Pharmacy, for the company’s contribution of multivitamins containing folic acid and prenatal vitamins at cost to clinics that serve low-income women in communities statewide.

The Mayor will also highlight a partnership with La Canasta Tortilla Company and the March of Dimes that promotes folic acid as an ingredient in the company’s uncooked flour tortillas, and their mutual pursuit of fortifying corn products with folic acid as another method to help prevent birth defects.


An overview of a successful program implemented at St. Joseph’s in collaboration with the March of Dimes and proven to reduce premature birth will be discussed by Linda Hunt, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. Neonatologist Mike McQueen, Medical Director, Women and Infant Services Banner Estrella Medical Center and March of Dimes Board Member will speak to the challenges of prematurity in Arizona.

Wayne Tormala, Bureau Chief for ADHS Division of Public Health Services, Tobacco Education and Prevention, will discuss newly available programs to address smoking among pregnant women which include providing tobacco cessation products to clients who are eligible for AHCCCS, Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System and will encourage attendees to utilize newly available services that ADHS offers for free.

ADHS will also premiere two new public service announcements they have produced to increase awareness of the benefits of folic acid consumption and to provide information on how to maintain wellness. 

Among the opportunities for businesses is a free worksite wellness program now available to all employers through ADHS.  The program includes website access, worksite wellness assessment, onsite visits from specialists who provide information about nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation, as well as informational materials developed to encourage healthy lifestyles.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.