WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., DEC 4, 2000 - To serve the growing need for education in maternal and infant health for Hispanics - the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population -- the March of Dimes today has launched its Spanish Web site, www.nacersano.org. Nacersano -- "born healthy" - conveys the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies. It offers visitors to the site an array of timely health information and details about the March of Dimes.
"This is not a corresponding site to our English site," said Lilliam Sanchez, manager of Hispanic outreach for the March of Dimes, "but has been adapted to meet the specific needs and nuances of the Spanish-speaking population. There are many who speak only Spanish, or who prefer to search and obtain information in Spanish, and we believe it's important to reach them in their native language. The Hispanic share of all U.S. births is expected to grow from today's nearly 19 percent to 25 percent by 2050, yet Hispanic women living in the U.S. are less likely to receive prenatal care after they become pregnant," Ms. Sanchez said. "Only 68.9 percent get prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy. Our Comenzando bien program and the other information on our new Web site will help reach more Spanish-speaking women with information they need to know."
Ms. Sanchez said the goals of the new Web site are to provide information about pregnancy, birth defects and infant health to women of childbearing age and to share background about the March of Dimes, its programs and volunteer activities available to Spanish-speaking people. Visitors to the new site will be able to find:
- An online health library with clear information, including tips on preparing for pregnancy; the effects of alcohol, tobacco and stress during pregnancy; and prenatal and newborn tests;
- Details about the March of Dimes Comenzando bien program of prenatal education;
- Directions on contacting the March of Dimes Resource Center, a free service offering answers to general maternal and infant health questions by toll-free telephone, mail or e-mail;
- Answers about the importance of taking the vitamin B folic acid to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine;
- Information about WalkAmerica and how individuals and families can participate;
- Background about the March of Dimes mission and its history.
"By launching nacersano.org, the March of Dimes continues its commitment to fighting birth defects everywhere," Ms. Sanchez said. "We're extremely proud to offer this service as an education tool for the Spanish speaking community."
