| MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY RECEIVES MARCH OF DIMES AWARD FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN NEWBORN SCREENING
August 1, 2007, Minneapolis: Minnesota received an award from the March of Dimes for its leadership among states in newborn screening. In 2007, Minnesota became one of the first states to require that all newborns be screened at birth for 29 treatable metabolic and functional disorders as recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and endorsed by the March of Dimes and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“On behalf of the 3 million active volunteers and 1400 staff of the March of Dimes who are working in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and the 70,000+ babies born in Minnesota every year, I thank the Governor, the health commission and members of the state legislature for making Minnesota a national leader in newborn screening. Screening for treatable conditions immediately after birth can mean the difference between a healthy life or a severe disability or even death for a newborn. Tragedy can be avoided by quickly identifying a problem and providing the necessary medical treatment,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.
The March of Dimes National Award for Excellence in Newborn Screening is being presented to the following 13 states and the District of Colombia: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wyoming. Below
The March of Dimes plans to present this award as states implement screening for the 29 “core” treatable conditions, but the 2007 recipients are the first to receive it.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defect, premature birth, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy and in 2003 launched a multi-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
###
|
