March of Dimes and What To Expect Foundation Partnership Announced
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., FEBRUARY 27, 2006 -- A partnership to bring Baby Basics, a comprehensive prenatal guide written specifically for low-income families, to the nearly one million women living in poverty who give birth each year was announced today by the March of Dimes and The What To Expect Foundation.
The March of Dimes is among the nation's leaders in maternal and infant health. The What To Expect Foundation (WTEF) takes its name from the nation's bestselling pregnancy guide, "What To Expect When You're Expecting," which has helped over 26 million women from pregnancy through their child's toddler years. Working together, these two organizations will focus on providing underserved families with comprehensive prenatal education and support.
"The March of Dimes is excited to be working with WTEF," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Their work in health literacy and reaching underserved families is vital to the health of our nation's babies."
Heidi Murkoff, president WTEF and author of the What To Expect series says, "We are so proud to be working with the champion of our nation's babies. With the March of Dimes, we hope to help many more families in need access and understand the vital prenatal information they need to expect healthier, happier babies."
The Baby Basics books are the only comprehensive prenatal guides written specifically for low-income expecting families and takes into account their special health, economic, social and cultural needs. Close to 200,000 books have already been provided to expecting moms and dads at pregnancy programs across the country. Together, the March of Dimes and WTEF will work with Maternal and Child Health programs, prenatal care providers, and Medicaid managed care companies to help more needy families receive the books.
Health care providers who want to learn more or order copies of Baby Basics for their patients can contact WTEF at (212) 712-9764 or go to http://www.whattoexpect.org
Too many families are unable to afford, or perhaps even read the vital health information that can make a big difference in their baby's future. That's why The What To Expect Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, gives families in-need education and support…so they, too, can expect healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries and happier babies. The Foundation's Baby Basics Prenatal Health Literacy Program helps providers and educators reach out to underserved communities across the country.
