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Preemie Matters – January 2012

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In this issue of Preemie Matters: Save the Date: NPIHC Annual Summit  •  Study: Moms of Low-Birthweight Infants Face Their Own Health Risks  •  New Smartphone Apps Support Preemie Parents  •  Johnson & Johnson, Huffington Post Partner to Launch Global Motherhood  •  Partner Spotlight: Zoe's New Beginnings  •  Job Opportunity: Program Specialist, NCBDDD Cooperative Agreement

Save the Date: NPIHC Annual Summit

Mark your calendars! The National Premature Infant Health Coalition (NPIHC) is hosting an Annual Summit in Washington, DC on June 13-14, 2012. The meeting will include a range of collaborative activities, including educational sessions on quality of care, networking events with colleagues from local, state and national organizations, opportunities for sharing resources and a Town Hall. We hope you can make it! For more information, contact Andrea Goodman at agoodman@hmhb.org.

Study: Moms of Low-Birthweight Infants Face Their Own Health Risks

New research suggests that the stress of caring for a very low-birthweight child can have a lasting impact on maternal health. The study, published in the journal Quality of Life Research and covered by WebMD, finds that five years after giving birth, mothers of very low-birthweight babies face a greater risk for their own long-term medical issues - affecting both physical and mental health - compared to the moms of normal birthweight infants. The authors point to a need to better address the stress these mothers face, increasing support and maternal care.

New Smartphone Apps Support Preemie Parents

Two new smartphone apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch are providing support and information to parents with infants currently in the NICU. Created by the Australian premature infant support nonprofit Life's Little Treasures Foundation, the free, global and English-language "NICU Words" app provides user-friendly explanations of the medical terms, machinery, and information parents encounter in neonatal intensive care units. A separate, low-cost "Premature Baby Journal" app gives parents an easy, handheld spot in which to journal and record baby's milestones.

Johnson & Johnson, Huffington Post Partner, Launch Global Motherhood

Earlier this month Johnson & Johnson and Huffington Post teamed up to launch Global Motherhood, a partnership centered around sharing ideas and experiences for improving maternal and child health. The new Global Motherhood section on Huffington Post will "give voice to the people and organizations making a difference," featuring success stories and inspiring readers to get involved. The innovative Global Motherhood collaboration has emerged from the 2010 United Nations Secretary General's call to action to improve worldwide maternal and child health by expanding existing, proven programs and establishing new partnerships.

Partner Spotlight: Zoe's New Beginnings

Pittsburgh nonprofit Zoe's New Beginnings is on a mission to support parents during their first few days home with their premature baby. Founded by the parents of preemie Zoe, born in 2007, the organization delivers complimentary care baskets of practical, essential items helping families make the transition from hospital to home - including preemie diapers, two preemie-sized outfits, hand sanitizer, information about RSV, and a fun novelty gift.

Job Opportunity

Program Specialist, NCBDDD Cooperative Agreement The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) has announced an opening for a Program Specialist to support the NCBDDD Cooperative Agreement. The individual in this role will coordinate, plan and carry out work at AUCD under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilites at CDC, assisting with a range of project activities including meetings, webinars, materials development, technical assistance, and information exchange and dissemination.

Sources:

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Renee Klink