Casting Call for Preemie Parents

Posted by kim on May 18, 2007

ABC’s prime time Emmy nominated program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, would like to highlight a March of Dimes family who has a prematurity story.

Please note that families must own their home and the home should tie into their story: Either the home needs to be fixed in order to bring the baby home from the hospital or they spent all their savings on medical expenses, and their house has suffered greatly because of it.

If you know of a family who desperately needs their home repaired and/or totally remodeled, please ask them to send an email describing the family story with names and ages of everyone and why their house needs remodeling to Kelly Mooney at Kelly@emhe.tv, no later than June 15, 2007. If you have any questions contact Todd Dezen at 914.997.4608, or tdezen@marchofdimes.com. Click for More Info.

Premature Births Linked to Pesticides?

Posted by kim on May 17, 2007

A study at the Indiana University School of Medicine found that the premature birth rates in the United States could be linked with increased use of pesticides and nitrates.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, pesticide and nitrate levels in surface water were highest May–June and lowest August–September. The highest prematurity rate occurred May-June (11.91 percent) and the lowest August-September (10.79 percent), regardless of maternal age, race, education, marital status, alcohol/cigarette use, or a urban/suburban/rural setting.

The study was conducted between 1996 and 2002 and included more than 27 million U.S. live births.

Original Story from e-Preemie