Each year, around 150,000 children in the United States are born with one or more birth defects. While over 60% of these conditions have unknown causes, there are proactive measures that employers can take to support their employees, customers, and local communities. Raising awareness and providing educational resources are crucial steps in preventing birth defects. As a leader in your organization, you can initiate a campaign focused on birth defect prevention.
Here are some practical strategies to implement a birth defect prevention initiative within your company:
Tip 1:
Incorporate health education into your employee orientation and ongoing training. This should cover prevention strategies for various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and birth defects.
Tip 2:
Ensure that your employee benefits program includes coverage for annual wellness exams and genetic counseling for those who are planning to start a family.
Tip 3:
Partner with organizations that specialize in educational resources on prevention, such as the March of Dimes and the National Birth Defects Prevention Network. Listing these organizations in your employee benefits manual and on your company website can be beneficial.
Helpful Organizations:
Tip 4:
Set up health and wellness information stations in your break rooms or distribute educational pamphlets that address prevalent health issues, including the prevention of birth defects.
Tip 5:
Remind customers that January is Birth Defects Prevention Month by displaying posters near the checkout or on bulletin boards. Consider adding a note to your promotional emails, such as:
“January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Learn more from the American Pregnancy Association, March of Dimes, and the National Birth Defects Prevention Network.”
Just one email to your customer and vendor list can create a ripple effect, encouraging someone contemplating parenthood to schedule a wellness exam or seek genetic counseling.
Why Launch a Birth Defects Prevention Campaign?
- It demonstrates to employees, customers, and the community that you prioritize their health and well-being, fostering positive relationships.
- Your efforts can help lower the incidence of birth defects among employees or community members.
- It may reduce public funding for neonatal care associated with low-birth-weight infants.
- For self-insured companies, investing in wellness initiatives and genetic counseling can significantly decrease the costs associated with neonatal care or ongoing medical needs for children with birth defects.
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Summary
Launching a birth defect prevention campaign within your organization not only benefits your employees and customers but also contributes to the overall well-being of the community. By providing valuable resources and promoting awareness, you can play a significant role in reducing the incidence of birth defects.