San Francisco, CA -- Each year, over 16,000 babies are born with birth defects in California, or one out of every 33 babies. Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. “State surveillance programs are a key step in our search for the causes of these birth defects. Recognizing this, the March of Dimes is working at both the state and federal levels to improve existing surveillance systems and create new programs when none exist,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.
California has long been committed to helping prevent birth defects. The California Birth Defects Monitoring Program was established by the Legislature and the Governor in l982 and is now in it’s 20th year of operation. It has grown into a national and international leader in birth defects research. This is confirmed by a recent report, Birth Defects Tracking and Prevention: Too Many States Are Not Making the Grade, authored by The Trust for America’s Health, where California is one of only eight states to receive an ‘A’.”
March of Dimes is therefore working to ensure that the proposed $1.6 million cut from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program’s budget is restored. This proposed cut is a devastating 45 percent reduction of state funding to the program and would arrest highly promising research, jeopardize matched federal funds and eliminate the public education component of the program.
“Taking funds away from this model program would undoubtedly lower the state’s current position as a leader, cost the state money and cause needless suffering among parents and infants when we’re so close to having real answers,” said Susan Abbott Rogge, March of Dimes State Public Affairs Chair.
The California Birth Defects Monitoring Program has conducted some of the largest studies on birth defects and is a leader in uncovering new clues to help scientists zero in on causes. Following are highlights of just a few of the program’s research successes:
- Finding the first compelling evidence associating urban air pollution with heart defects.
- Identifying that women who take folic acid before becoming pregnant reduce the chance of having a baby born with spinal defects by up to 70%. This saves the state $200 million every year in treatment and special education costs.
- Uncovering a new clue that stressful life events may increase the risk for birth defects.
- Showing a startling link between obesity and increased spinal defects.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site or its Spanish Web site, or call 1-888-MODIMES.
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