The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have invited women and their families to make a PACT for birth defects prevention. In recognition of January as National Birth Defects Prevention Month – 2016, Avion encourages our community, healthcare professionals, educators, social service professionals, and the general public to do everything we can to support this important initiative. Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. We know that not all birth defects can be prevented. But, we also know that women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant.
This year we are encouraging all women to make a PACT for their own health and, also for the health of their children and children-to-be.
- Plan Ahead
- Avoid Harmful Substances
- Choose a Healthy Lifestyle
- Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
By making the PACT, women can reduce the risk of having a child with a birth defect and also reduce their risk of pregnancy complications, like early pregnancy loss, prematurity, and stillbirths.
About 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year in the United States. Not only can birth defects lead to lifelong challenges and disability, they are also the most common cause of death in the first year of life, and the second most common cause of death in children aged one to four years. Public awareness, expert medical care, accurate and early diagnosis, and social support systems are all essential for optimal prevention and treatment of these all-too-common and sometimes deadly conditions.
“Most people are unaware of how common, costly, and critical birth defects are in the United States—or how simple and easy it can be to reduce the risk of birth defects,” says Mike Sullivan, President of Avion Pharmaceuticals.
“The health of women prior to pregnancy can affect the risk of having a child with a birth defect. Diet, life-style choices, factors in the environment, health conditions, and medications before and during pregnancy all can play a role in preventing or increasing the risk of birth defects,” says Mike Sullivan.
“Small steps, like making healthy choices, visiting a healthcare provider well before pregnancy, controlling your weight through healthy diet and activity, and taking a daily vitamin, like Prenate Mini® or another quality supplement, can go a long way,” says Mike Sullivan.
The NBDPN is working with healthcare professionals and public health agencies around the country to encourage prevention and awareness of birth defects among the over 60 million women of childbearing age in the United States and their partners. In addition to its efforts in prevention, the NBDPN works to improve nationwide tracking of birth defects and to advance research on possible causes. It also offers support to families who are dealing with the realities of a child born with one of these conditions. Further information about the NBDPN can be found at www.NBDPN.org.
Avion is participating in National Birth Defects Prevention Month through the distribution of information to patients and health care providers across the country. We encourage everyone to be an active participant in National Birth Defects Prevention.
The 2016 NBDPN Birth Defects Prevention information packet, including Making Healthy Choices to Prevent Birth Defects: Make a PACT for Prevention (as well as archives of past packets), is available online at: www.nbdpn.org/bdpm2016.php. All materials can be printed, electronically conveyed, or added to websites for distribution as needed. Further information regarding NBDPN can be obtained at NBDPN.org or on Facebook by searching “National Birth Defects Prevention Network”.
About Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC., is a Specialty Pharmaceutical company formed to develop and market a portfolio of innovative pharmaceutical products in the Women’s Heath and Dermatology therapeutic areas. Avion Pharmaceuticals focuses on identifying opportunities to acquire and enhance the market potential of innovative, commercially available therapeutics and late-stage development drugs to fulfill unmet medical needs. For additional information about Avion Pharmaceuticals please contact the company at 678-325-5188.
