March of Dimes Georgia Chapter Hosting Prematurity Summit on National Prematurity Awareness Day – November 16, 2004

WHAT:             Georgia Prematurity Summit  - Sponsored by Matria Healthcare

WHEN:             Tuesday, November 16, 2004

WHERE:           Georgia Tech Conference Center - Coliseum - 800 Spring Street, NW, Atlanta, GA                       

TIME:               Check-in - 8:15am; Closing Reception - 3:30 to 5:00pm

WHO:               Lobbyists, legislators, public health officials, public relations and marketing professionals, health reporters, insurance company representatives, business leaders and health care providers   

ATLANTA, GA – October 13, 2004 - In correlation with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s recent proclamation of November as Georgia Prematurity Awareness Month, the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter will host a Prematurity Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004 at the Georgia Tech Conference Center coliseum in Atlanta.  Invitees will include lobbyists, legislators, public health officials, public relations and marketing professionals, health reporters, insurance company representatives, business leaders and health care providers.

The Summit will provide an opportunity for decision-makers throughout the state to learn more about the seriousness of prematurity and the role of the March of Dimes in addressing the issue.  Breakout session topics will include The Problem of Prematurity, How to Market the Messages of Prematurity, The Cost of Prematurity, Prematurity and the Media: A Panel Discussion, Disparities in Premature Birth and more.

In 2002, 12.6% of all births in the state of Georgia were preterm.  Premature birth is a common, serious and costly problem for American families.  In fact, it is the leading cause of newborn death and babies who do survive may face serious lifelong health problems. Prematurity takes an enormous emotional toll on families and costs society billions.

ABOUT THE MARCH OF DIMES PREMATURITY CAMPAIGN

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is a five-year, $75 million research, awareness and education campaign to help families have healthier babies. The campaign includes:

·         Funding research to find the causes of premature birth.

·         Educating families about the warning signs of premature labor and what can be done to prevent it.

·         Providing support to families of babies in the NICU.

·         Expanding access to health care coverage so that more women can get prenatal care.

·         Helping health care providers learn ways to help reduce the risk of early delivery.

·         Advocating for access to insurance to improve maternity care and infant health outcomes.

ABOUT THE MARCH OF DIMES

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 to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

www.marchofdimes.com/georgia

Media Contact:  Brittney Gray, Director of Communications, March of Dimes Georgia Chapter, 404-350-9800 ext. 224 or bgray@marchofdimes.com

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