2011 March for Babies Campaign
Methodist Dallas Medical Center Innovative Pregnancy Classes Spotlighted in March of Dimes National Prematurity Project
Methodist CEO Steve Mansfield to chair 2011 March for Babies Campaign
The March of Dimes presented its annual national “report card” on Nov. 17 on a day and month selected to raise awareness of high premature birth rates around the country. Its leaders joined in Dallas to spotlight an innovative pregnancy education class in partnership with Methodist Health System at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The project has proven effective in dramatically reducing premature births among its participants and is offered through the Methodist Dallas Golden Cross Academic Clinic.
Roughly one in seven babies is born prematurely in Texas. Although the state has improved its preterm birth rate, it still received a failing grade – a “D” – in the March of Dimes report cards. Texas’ preterm birth rate has dropped to 13.3 percent. Nationally, more than half a million babies are still born premature, at a cost of $26 million across the country. Premature birth is also the leading cause of newborn death.
Despite the state and national data, Methodist Dallas Medical Center stands out as the only hospital in Dallas offering a Centering Pregnancy project – the Life Shines Bright Pregnancy Program – an innovative project to combat these troubling statistics. This innovative preterm birth prevention program features a new model for prenatal care and group education for at-risk pregnant women and their families with a goal of significantly reducing premature births. The group prenatal classes offer young mothers opportunities for education, support, and networking with other moms-to-be. As a result of the program, preterm birth rates for participants in the program have dropped to 5.6% compared to as high as 23% in the Methodist Dallas service area.
“Methodist Dallas has one of the best neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the country, but our goal is to reduce preterm births and the need for so many infants to begin life in a NICU,” says Dr. Stephen L. Mansfield, president and CEO of Methodist Health System and chair of the 2011 March for Babies campaign, “The program targets reducing preterm birth rates in some Dallas community areas that are among the highest in the state and serves as a model for communities across Texas and the nation.”
Risk factors for premature births include lack of prenatal care, maternal smoking, and previous early deliveries. The March of Dimes national report urges states to address the number of women of child-bearing age who lack insurance, smoke, or deliver babies prior to full term. Pregnant women without insurance have less access to prenatal care and tend to seek care after the first trimester — threatening the child's health.
The Methodist CEO explains that providing prenatal care for uninsured and at-risk mothers early in their pregnancy offers a greater chance of a healthy delivery, noting that studies show pre-term birth children are also at higher risk for continuing problems in health and development.
Dr. Mansfield has been named chair of the 2011 March for Babies Campaign in Dallas, set for April 16. In that capacity, he will lead top corporate teams across the Metroplex in raising funds for the March of Dimes to continue its mission to reduce the number of premature births.
Note to editors:
Photo available to download at: http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/PrematurityDay2010
Discussing the prematurity report card and the innovative partnership project were: Methodist President and CEO Dr. Stephen L. Mansfield; Dallas Division March of Dimes Executive Director Julie Whitsitt; and Eulalia Gillum-Roberson, vice-chair of the Texas Region 3 March of Dimes Program Services Committee.
In the second photo: Dallas Division March of Dimes Executive Director Julie Whitsitt visits with a recent graduate of the Life Shines Bright Pregnancy Program and her healthy infant.
About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org. To see why Methodist Health System is a brilliant choice for your career, join our talent community at Jobs.MethodistHealthSystem.org and connect with us through Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and our blog.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com or www.nacersano.org.
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.
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