Maternal and Child Health Genetics in China in the 21st Century Media Statement The March of Dimes and the China Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA) co-hosted the conference and workshop Maternal and Child Health Genetics in China in the 21st Century, convening health officials and experts in genetics from the Zhejiang, Shandong, Hunan and Shenyang provinces, the major metropolitan areas of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, and the national government.
The first two days featured presentations on the extent and trends in the occurrence of birth defects in China and the experience of other countries, including the Unites States and South Africa, in reducing the toll of birth defects in their populations. The third day, hosted by the CPMA, focused on review of the population needs assessments prepared in advance by the four provinces and three metropolitan areas. These assessments will help develop a framework for these representatives to create action plans for newborn screening, genetic services and education programs to prevent and treat genetic diseases.
The Conference builds on studies and policy recommendations summarized in the World Health Organization report, Screening for the Prevention and Management of Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects in Developing Countries. Its goal is to help policy makers and health care providers in China learn more about the role of genetics in perinatal public health. The action plans will also provide a basis for discussion at the Second International Conference on the Prevention and Care of Birth Defects in Developing Countries to be held in Beijing in 2004.
The October conference speakers include representatives from the March of Dimes; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); University of Washington School of Public Health; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; California Dept. of Health Services; University of Havana; University of Witwatersrand, South Africa; China Preventive Medicine Association and China Ministry of Health. Additional funding for the conference was provided by CDC, HRSA, Astoria-Pacific International and Golden Bridge International, Inc.
The March of Dimes participated in the Conference to assist in bringing China into the global genetics health community by providing policy makers and researchers scientific knowledge and the experience of clinical practice in effectively and ethically incorporating public health genetics into primary care in the United States. The Conference provided an arena to inform a coordinated, cost-effective and ethical application of medical genetics that can improve the lives of millions of children and families in China.
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