The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73897

Joann Petrini, PhD, MPH, Perinatal Data Center, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, 914-997-4515, jpetrini@modimes.org

Keeping current with the latest clinical, research and epidemiological information about prematurity is a challenge for health care professionals. Therefore resources that compile timely and relevant information an easy to access format are critical.

The March of Dimes, as part of the Prematurity Campaign has enhanced its website (www.marchofdimes.com) to provide tools for the latest primary (preconceptional and prenatal risk reduction), secondary (preterm labor and high risk pregnancy management) and tertiary (improving survival and decreasing complications) interventions. The website compiles information for professionals from the many Campaign partners and alliance members. Collectively, this provides health professionals with a conduit to evidence-based clinical guidelines (i.e., relevant ACOG and AAP clinical practice bulletins), slides, a free, evaluated preconceptional curriculum, ACOG/Smoke Free Families’ smoking cessation guidelines, information about: the March of Dimes nursing modules, March of Dimes/Johnson& Johnson Pediatric Institute Grand Rounds Program, research opportunities and updates, and patient education materials. Finally, a major asset available through the March of Dimes website is PeriStats, a free, interactive, online perinatal data resource that provides national, state and county preterm and very preterm statistics as well as related risk factors (www.marchofdimes.com/peristats). PeriStats provides instant access to graphs, maps and tables that can be easily copied to slides for presentations and to support program and policy efforts. Special one-page, color state-specific prematurity profiles are also available on PeriStats. Additional resources summarizing relevant research findings related to prematurity will also be shared, including special reports from the National Center for Health Statistics and March of Dimes.

Learning Objectives:

At the close of the session participants will be able to:
• Recognize the risk factors for preterm birth.
• Describe the effect of medical interventions on preterm birth.
• Describe the March of Dimes plan to address risk identification and risk reduction for preterm birth.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of March of Dimes