Registration is free for media interested in covering the conference.  Media should contact Natasha Singh.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

MARCH OF DIMES PRESIDENT JOINS CDC
AND OTHERS FOR HISTORIC NATIONAL SUMMIT
ON PRECONCEPTION CARE
 
WHEN: June 21-22, 2005

WHERE: Century Center Marriott, 2000 Century Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA

SPEAKERS:  Jennifer L. Howse, Ph.D., President of the March of Dimes, will deliver the keynote address.

• José Cordero, M.D., MPH, Assistant Surgeon General and Director, National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC;
• Douglas Laube, M.D., President-Elect, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• Winston Price, M.D., President National Medical Association (NMA)

WHAT: 
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the U.S. infant mortality rate has increased, ranking the U.S. 27th in the world.  At this meeting, CDC will work with leading health care organizations, including the March of Dimes, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, and CityMatch to draft national recommendations on health care before pregnancy (preconception). With these recommendations, the United States will join other countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, that already have national preconception guidelines.

As the keynote speaker, Dr. Jennifer Howse will challenge her colleagues to act to improve women's access to healthcare and give women the optimal care needed throughout their entire life.

Research shows that the best time to identify and address many risk factors for mothers and babies is before a woman becomes pregnant.  For example, taking folic acid (a B vitamin that helps prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine) and controlling blood sugar levels to prevent or manage diabetes, are effective steps a woman can take before conception to help ensure a healthy baby.

For more information about the conference, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconcep.htm