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In the United States, more than half a million babies are born prematurely each year. But federal health officials are trying to change that by pledgi...
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-- Hello welcome to help -- I'm Dr.
Manny in the US more than half a million babies are born prematurely every year.
But federal health officials are doing something to change that.
-- the -- of health and human services recently announced more than forty million dollars in grants.
Will be put towards a new initiative aimed at reducing the number of preterm -- And nearly elective deliveries joining me now is the president of the March of Dimes got to Jennifer house.
Scott thank you for coming and you know how much I love the -- dobbs thank you the first let's tell people what is the danger about premature deliveries.
In a word the danger is the baby could die.
Or the baby could have terrible disabilities as a consequence of coming to -- we have seen optic I think over the years.
In the incidence of premature deliveries why is that.
I think.
That the most important reason is that there's been an increase in elective deliveries that are too soon -- before 39 weeks.
Pregnancy I think obstetricians because of you know liability issues gets a little and see.
And bingo sometimes we do just that but I realize that that's not appropriate.
I think we have to change that mindset a little bit I think we have to change the mindset for -- for the mom so they can better understand.
Why those last weeks of pregnancy really count.
And then help work with the docs to let get this message across.
Now.
At -- let's talk a little bit about.
This federal initiative which I think is very important and I began I applaud the president.
And and the Health Department.
Because I think that they're now putting resources which are very important.
Tell me about those resources and where the money's going and war are some of the initiatives specifically.
Well I think all of us in the in the country Dr.
Manny are are committed to the best health care.
At the most reasonable cost and pre maturity so expensive it's 26 billion a year.
Premature births cost ten times more than than normal -- what can be done.
And this federal initiative begins to answer that question by doing two things first of all over forty million of grants to test some different.
Models of prenatal care to find out the best way to support a healthy pregnancy to the 39 weeks give me an example.
All of one in new initiative towards prenatal care would be.
Well there's one model of prenatal care that that is going to be tested -- several but one -- is called centering pregnancy.
And that's a model of that group prenatal care where women talk with women about what can be done to have a healthier pregnancy and why it's important.
To go those full 39 -- So he's you know that's very important because.
Again they can help each other and they could have a common theme and as a team.
They can have that goal that everybody is looking for that's exactly right which I love I love that concept I mean I -- I -- I adored icons event and let me tell you something.
That -- got just as that particular if form.
Of prenatal care in many other countries like Scandinavian countries has worked very very well that's right now there's another program called a strong start.
-- sure co partnering with.
The government right.
Yes we are tell me about that well that that's a program to get out the word to two ladies why those last weeks of pregnancy really count.
So we are co branding or March of Dimes materials.
With the Department of Health and Human Services which will give a lot more distribution to our March of Dimes materials.
And it's the healthy babies are worth the wait consumer campaign and it will be widely distributed.
And help the ladies really understand.
-- -- off but really important to go those extra weeks of pregnancy.
Listen I congratulate you you know how much I love you you know how much this is important to me because this is something that is.
Very close to my heart and we gonna keep.
You know we gonna keep marching.
To make sure that we bring that premature labor rate down only.
That women have.
New ways of thinking about their pregnancies.
And I think that you gonna leave the damn thing you always lead the Ben thank you thank you very much for coming thank you.
At idiotic health -- you wanna talk to me about email me he would fox.
A document -- foxnews.com until next time -- document.
