Immediate

Dallas Healthy Start helps babies to celebrate their first birthday September designated National Infant Mortality Awareness month

DALLAS (September 21, 2009) - Of the 7,000 babies born in Texas each week, sadly 39 of them won't celebrate their first birthday. Prematurity or low birth weight, birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are the leading causes in infant death. Throughout September, Dallas Healthy Start and local partners hosted several events to educate and prevent infant death. The program has also teamed with the March of Dimes for the second annual Infant Mortality Awareness Summit from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Sept. 23 at Methodist Medical Center Hitt Auditorium, 1441 North Beckley Ave., Dallas. "Education is key in addressing the issue of infant death," said Eulalia Gillum-Roberson, community programs manager, Dallas Healthy Start. "Studies have shown that you can greatly improve the health of your baby by taking folic acid during pregnancy, knowing the signs of pre-term labor, breastfeeding and putting the baby on his/her back to sleep." The purpose of the Dallas Healthy Start program, housed at Parkland, is to reduce infant mortality rates and address the racial disparity in birth outcomes. By providing home-based case management and care coordination, clients are able to gain access to health care and social services from governmental agencies and community organizations. For more information about the Dallas Healthy Start program or upcoming events, call 214.590.1670.

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For Further Information Contact: Candace White 214.590.8054