More than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women have filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013, according to a new analysis published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the CDC is working with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the use of antidepressant medications by women of reproductive age, and what women should know and do for their own health and that of their babies. There is conflicting evidence about the potential link between some antidepressants and certain birth defects. Some commonly used antidepressants are sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), and citalopram (Celexa).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709851-march-of-dimes-antidepressant-pregnancy-study/
Portland, Oregon has the best preterm birth rate of the top 100 cities with the most births nationwide, while Shreveport, Louisiana has the worst, according to the 2015 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, which for the first time graded cities and counties around the nation and revealed persistent racial, ethnic and geographic disparities within states.
The U.S. preterm birth rate ranks among the worst of high-resource countries, the March of Dimes says. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born preterm, and nearly one million die due to early birth or its complications. Babies who survive an early birth often face serious and lifelong health problems, including breathing problems, jaundice, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7653351-march-of-dimes-premature-birth-report/
An estimated 15 million babies around the world are born premature each year and more than one million of them do not survive their early birth. Although the United States has seen sustained improvement in its preterm birth rate, it has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any industrialized country.
Next month, organizations and individuals around the globe will observe Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day. World-famous photographer Anne Geddes, and international superstars Thalia and Hilary Duff, will join other celebrity parents to spread the word that premature birth is a very serious health problem for babies worldwide.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/65164-march-of-dimes-march-for-babies-2014/
Natural disasters that have devastated the nation this year have reminded Americans about the importance of preparedness. That was the focus of the Ad Council and FEMA’s Ready campaign created pro bono by Chicago-based advertising agency Leo Burnett. The innovative campaign earned Leo Burnett the Ad Council’s top creative award of the year – the Gold Bell for Creative Excellence. Marc Pritchard, Global Branding Officer of The Proctor and Gamble Company and Ad Council Chairman of the Board, presented the award last night at the Ad Council’s 59th Annual Public Service Award Dinner. Silver and Bronze Bells were also awarded to Havas Worldwide New York and Grey New York for their work on the Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention and Stroke Awareness campaigns, respectively.
To view Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59153-ad-council-public-service-award-dinner-gold-bell-for-creative-excellence