MARCH OF DIMES CONNECTS THE DOTS FOR ALBUQUERQUE BUSINESS LEADERS: HEALTHY MOMS AND STRONG BABIES ARE GOOD FOR THE BOTTOM LINE

WHAT:            March of Dimes connects the dots for Albuquerque business leaders: healthy moms and strong babies are good for the bottom line. Babies born preterm can cost 12 times more than a full-term baby. Pregnancy-related death has more than doubled in the past 25 years.  In New Mexico, the preterm birth rate has reached a ten-year high, rising again in 2018 from 10.0 to 10.3 percent.  In Albuquerque, March of Dimes is tackling urgent maternal and infant health issues by using commonsense approaches such as expanding proven programs and innovative solutions to improve treatment and preventive care for moms and lower the preterm birth rate. Businesses can help make a difference.

WHO:              Mr. Mark Fidel, Co-Founder, Head of Corporate Development, RiskSense, Inc.

The Schimmel Family, of Albuquerque, 2019 March of Dimes Mission Family,

                        Emma Gamelsky, March of Dimes New Mexico Maternal Child Health Director

WHY:              March of Dimes gives 4 million babies born each year the best possible start. Nearly half a million of them are born prematurely or with birth defects. March of Dimes, the nation’s leading maternal and infant health nonprofit, recently released a report entitled “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” identifying counties in which access to maternity health care services is limited or absent, either through lack of services or barriers to a woman’s ability to access that care. In New Mexico, there are ten counties designated as maternity care deserts. While the majority of maternal care deserts are in rural areas, the problem also exists in larger counties, including Roosevelt and Torrance.

WHEN:            Thursday, January 10, 2019

                        Program begins 7:30 a.m. ends by 8:30 a.m. Plated breakfast will be served.

WHERE:          Embassy Suites Hotel.  1000 Woodward Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebookand follow us on Instagram and Twitter.