March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention

Abstract Birth defects are a major cause of mortality among children under five. In accordance with its mission, the March of Dimes Foundation is dedicated to reducing the toll of birth defects on children, families, and society. Founded in 1938 to fight polio, March of Dimes currently focuses on pr...

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Main Authors: Salimah R. Walani, Janis Biermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2017-05-01
Series:Public Health Reviews
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40985-017-0058-3
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author Salimah R. Walani
Janis Biermann
author_facet Salimah R. Walani
Janis Biermann
author_sort Salimah R. Walani
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description Abstract Birth defects are a major cause of mortality among children under five. In accordance with its mission, the March of Dimes Foundation is dedicated to reducing the toll of birth defects on children, families, and society. Founded in 1938 to fight polio, March of Dimes currently focuses on prevention of birth defects and preterm birth and has had a major influence on surveillance, research, advocacy, awareness, and education related to birth defects prevention and care. In the USA, it has played an active role in promoting and advocating for newborn screening for early diagnosis and treatment of congenital disorders, folic acid fortification of grains for prevention of neural tube defects, and more recently on raising awareness about birth defects related to Zika virus infection. March of Dimes has played a major role in promoting prevention of birth defects globally by publishing data-based reports and papers related to the toll of birth defects and by supporting surveillance and preconception health education programs. March of Dimes birth defects health education materials directed for raising awareness among families are used worldwide. Additionally, March of Dimes had equipped health care workers and policy makers with essential information about birth defects through published materials and sponsoring of conferences that allow for networking and knowledge exchange. March of Dimes remains committed to prevention of birth defects through supporting research related to causes of birth defects, empowering women and girls with health knowledge, and advocating for policies and programs at national and global levels for giving every child an opportunity to attain his or her optimal level of health.
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spelling doaj.art-c2da80bf33974ae0aeb31edbb2b91dd82022-12-21T22:25:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Public Health Reviews2107-69522017-05-013811710.1186/s40985-017-0058-3March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects preventionSalimah R. Walani0Janis Biermann1Global Health Programs, March of Dimes FoundationEducation & Health Promotion, March of Dimes FoundationAbstract Birth defects are a major cause of mortality among children under five. In accordance with its mission, the March of Dimes Foundation is dedicated to reducing the toll of birth defects on children, families, and society. Founded in 1938 to fight polio, March of Dimes currently focuses on prevention of birth defects and preterm birth and has had a major influence on surveillance, research, advocacy, awareness, and education related to birth defects prevention and care. In the USA, it has played an active role in promoting and advocating for newborn screening for early diagnosis and treatment of congenital disorders, folic acid fortification of grains for prevention of neural tube defects, and more recently on raising awareness about birth defects related to Zika virus infection. March of Dimes has played a major role in promoting prevention of birth defects globally by publishing data-based reports and papers related to the toll of birth defects and by supporting surveillance and preconception health education programs. March of Dimes birth defects health education materials directed for raising awareness among families are used worldwide. Additionally, March of Dimes had equipped health care workers and policy makers with essential information about birth defects through published materials and sponsoring of conferences that allow for networking and knowledge exchange. March of Dimes remains committed to prevention of birth defects through supporting research related to causes of birth defects, empowering women and girls with health knowledge, and advocating for policies and programs at national and global levels for giving every child an opportunity to attain his or her optimal level of health.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40985-017-0058-3March of DimesBirth defectsPreterm birthBabiesZikaPrematurity
spellingShingle Salimah R. Walani
Janis Biermann
March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
Public Health Reviews
March of Dimes
Birth defects
Preterm birth
Babies
Zika
Prematurity
title March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
title_full March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
title_fullStr March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
title_full_unstemmed March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
title_short March of Dimes Foundation: leading the way to birth defects prevention
title_sort march of dimes foundation leading the way to birth defects prevention
topic March of Dimes
Birth defects
Preterm birth
Babies
Zika
Prematurity
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40985-017-0058-3
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