Parkview Women’s and Children’s Hospital Awarded Grant
FORT WAYNE – Parkview Women’s and Children’s Hospital has been selected to receive a grant from the March of Dimes. The funds, distributed through Anthem Foundation, Inc., will be used to support the Parkview Health Centering Pregnancy project in Allen County. These efforts are working to educate and promote positive maternal behavior related to preterm births and low birth weight infants.
The Centering Pregnancy in Allen County project will provide an accessible option for evidence-based strategies and activities to address several causes known to be risk factors for preterm births. This grant will allow uninsured and under-insured individuals to be educated on nutrition during pregnancy, the risk of tobacco, alcohol, other drug use, stress and lack of adequate prenatal care.
Data shows that low-income, minority mothers in Allen County have a higher rate of preterm births and low-birth weight infants. In order to provide culturally appropriate services, some strategies will promote support groups that will focus specifically on African-American and Burmese women. Additionally, pregnant women identified as high-risk will be assigned to a similar group of expecting mothers for support.
“What we truly notice is that patients are really taking ownership of their health care,” said Sailaja Blackmon, MD, Parkview Physicians Group-OB/GYN. “The friendships and bonds that are formed between the physicians and patients in clinics, support groups, and with one-on-one interaction help to facilitate this empowerment.”
The Centering Pregnancy in Allen County project will provide ample parking and easy bus access along with other incentives for those in attendance. Parkview expects to see an increase in healthy behaviors from participants with a resulting decrease in pre-term and low birth weight deliveries by focusing on the accessibility of adequate prenatal care for low-income and minority women.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthrough. Find out how you can help prevent premature birth and birth defects by joining March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org ornacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.