WHEN: Tuesday, November 16, 2004, 1:30 P.M.

WHERE: National Press Club, 529 Fourteenth Street , NW, Washington, D.C., Edward R. Murrow Room, 13th floor

SPEAKERS:

• Dr. Duane F. Alexander, Director, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health.
• Dr. Jennifer L. Howse,  President, March of Dimes.
• Dr. Catherine Spong, Chief of the Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, NIH.

BACKGROUND:
Prematurity affects 1 in every 8 babies born in the U.S. and is the leading cause of newborn mortality.  More than 480,000 babies were born prematurely in 2002.  The preterm birth rate has increased 29 percent since 1981, and the costs in economic and human terms are staggering.

At this news conference, the March of Dimes will stress the importance of research and release a new estimate of the total national hospital bill for premature birth.  Speakers will discuss recent NICHD studies aimed at preventing premature labor.

Being born low birthweight (a frequent consequence of preterm birth) may increase the risk for certain diseases in adulthood, such as heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

TELECONFERENCE: Call 800-731-1418 to listen and query.