| Every day, babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington fight for their lives. And every day the March of Dimes helps them win. Our lifesaving research and innovative prevention programs have saved millions of babies from death or disability.
Why is the March of Dimes important to Oregon and SW Washington?
• Because 1 in 10 babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington is born premature, putting him/her at a greater risk of death or lifelong disabilities.
• Because 1 in 8 women in Oregon and Southwest Washington smokes during pregnancy.
• Because 1 in 8 pregnant women in Oregon and Southwest Washington receives inadequate prenatal care.
For more statistical information visit marchofdimes.com/peristats.
How is the March of Dimes working in Oregon and SW Washington?
The March of Dimes, Greater Oregon Chapter supports numerous programs that improve the health of babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Programs supported by the March of Dimes reflect community needs such as family support services, prenatal education, prenatal smoking and substance abuse prevention, and access to prenatal care for low-income and at-risk women.
• The March of Dimes is focusing increased attention on the growing problem of premature birth, and in 2003 launched a new Prematurity Campaign. This multi-faceted effort focuses on increasing research and awareness to the causes of prematurity. Premature birth is the leading killer of newborns in the United States. And babies who do survive may suffer from serious lifelong medical problems. Unfortunately, half of premature births have no known cause, and the rate of premature births is on the rise—an 18 percent increase since 1992. Premature birth is now the most expensive infant health problem facing our nation, costing $13 billion each year.
• Because the Greater Oregon Chapter area ranks below the national average for women getting early prenatal care, the March of Dimes helped start Oregon MothersCare. This unique program streamlines and simplifies the process of connecting women to prenatal services.
• In 2004, the March of Dimes launched the NICU Family Support Project in the Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center at Oregon Health & Science University. Through this unique program, the March of Dimes provides information and comfort to families with critically ill newborns. Of the 22 percent of babies that are born outside of OHSU and transferred in, most come from rural areas of the state.
• Each year the March of Dimes awards grants to community programs that promote maternal and infant health with an emphasis on reducing birth defects and infant mortality. In 2006, the March of Dimes is investing more than $116,000 in grants to seven local organizations.
• The Greater Oregon Chapter sponsors numerous public and professional education programs throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, including conferences, lectures, health fairs and other special events.
• The March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center offers free, one-on-one, confidential answers to pregnancy and related questions. The center can be reached by e-mail at askus@marchofdimes.com.
• Educational brochures on maternal health-related topics are distributed to health clinics, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and many other organizations throughout the area.
• The March of Dimes is also committed to supporting research programs that benefit everyone. Several local researchers studying the causes, effects, and possible treatments for birth defects, receive March of Dimes grants. Nearly $1 million is currently committed to researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon.
Do I know someone who has been touched by the March of Dimes?
Most likely you and everyone you know has benefited from the work of the March of Dimes. Since it’s inception more than 67 years ago, the March of Dimes has achieved important, major successes in its fight to prevent birth defects and infant death.
You’ve been touched by the March of Dimes if....
• You received a polio vaccine.
• Your baby or a baby you know was cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit.
• Your baby or a baby you know received a PKU test to detect a serious disorder, which if left untreated, causes mental retardation.
• Your baby or a baby you know received lung surfactant therapy preventing infant death due to respiratory distress syndrome.
• You know that women of childbearing age should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid to prevent certain birth defects.
• You are aware that alcohol, drug and tobacco use during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, low birthweight, respiratory problems and mental retardation to the newborn. |
