NP Each year in the United States, serious birth defects affect an estimated 150,000 babies. In order to understand more fully their causes, prevalence, affect on public health and to be able to reduce the incidence of birth defects, birth defects surveillance is essential. This epidemiological tool tracks incidence of birth defects to see if particular conditions are more common in certain geographic areas or among certain groups. This can lead to removing toxins from affected areas and medications from circulation among childbearing women, as well as providing better public health education, especially among affected groups and communities. This kind of birth defects information is also cost-effective. A lifetime of special medical treatment and special education for those affected by birth defects and lost work time for parents coordinating treatment for their children is very costly for society and for the families whose loved ones suffer from congenital anomalies. Over the last 10 years, there has been a dramatic increase in birth defects surveillance legislation at both state and national levels due, in large part, to the ongoing efforts of the March of Dimes and the interest and leadership of many members of Congress and State legislatures. On July 6th, 2000 Ohio became the latest state to pass legislation authorizing the development and implementation of a birth defects information system. This poster will describe the passage of H.B. 534—Ohio’s Healthy Baby Bill, including the strategies employed by a public/private partnership to get the issue on the legislative agenda.
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the process by which Ohio's Healthy Baby Bill was brought to a vote in the state legislature. 2. Articulate key stakeholders in the development of this new policy. 3. Recognize the resources available to citizens and community groups to determine if their state has a birth defects surveillance program.
Keywords: Birth Defects, Public/Private Partnerships
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: March of Dimes
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Chair of the Program Services Committee of the Greater Cincinnati Division of the March of Dimes