Every year, around 150,000 children in the U.S. are born with one or more birth defects. While the causes of over 60% of these conditions remain unknown, there are proactive steps you can take as an employer to support your employees, clients, and the broader community in addressing this issue. Raising awareness and providing education are critical to preventing birth defects. As a business leader, you can play a key role in fostering awareness and facilitating access to educational resources focused on prevention.
Here are some actionable strategies for establishing a birth defects prevention initiative within your organization:
First Strategy
Integrate wellness education into your employee orientation and review processes. This should include guidance on preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and birth defects.
Second Strategy
Ensure that your benefits program includes coverage for annual wellness check-ups and genetic counseling for those considering parenthood.
Third Strategy
Connect your employees with organizations that provide educational resources on prevention, such as the American Pregnancy Association and March of Dimes. Consider including these resources in your employee handbook and linking to them on your company website.
For Birth Defects Prevention, Include These Organizations:
- American Pregnancy Association
- March of Dimes
- National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Fourth Strategy
Set up a health and wellness display in your break room or provide access to informational brochures that cover common health issues, including birth defects prevention.
Fifth Strategy
Inform your clients that January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Display posters near the checkout area or on a bulletin board. Add a simple message in your promotional emails, such as: “January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Learn more at the American Pregnancy Association and March of Dimes.” Sending an email to your customer and vendor list can create a ripple effect, raising awareness about birth defects prevention options. It’s free and could lead someone contemplating family planning to seek health assessments or genetic counseling.
Why Implement a Company Campaign for Birth Defects Prevention?
- You demonstrate to your employees, clients, and community that their well-being matters, fostering positive relationships.
- You can help reduce the incidence of birth defects for an employee or someone in your community.
- It can decrease public funding spent on neonatal care following the birth of a low-birth-weight baby.
- For self-insured businesses, investing in wellness programs and genetic counseling can lower excessive costs associated with neonatal care or the additional medical attention required for managing a child with a birth defect.
In conclusion, taking these steps can significantly enhance the well-being of your employees and the community, all while promoting a culture of health and awareness. For more insights on motherhood and related topics, check out this post from Intracervical Insemination or visit Modern Family Blog for additional resources.