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News from Executive Committee |
Dear Friends of NCBDDD,
Happy New Year! The Executive Committee hopes you had a wonderful holiday and are ready for the year ahead.
2018 will bring new challenges and opportunities. It will take coordinated efforts by the Friends to ensure we continue to promote the work of NCBDDD and improve the health and well-being of the populations we serve. We hope you can join us at our in-person meeting on February 13th to formulate plans for 2018 and beyond. Additional details and registration information are below.
Please reach out with any feedback. I always appreciate hearing from you.
Best,
Becky Abbott
Chair, Friends of NCBDDD
rabbott@marchofdimes.org
New NCBDDD State Fact Sheets
The National Center on Birth Defects and Disabilities (NCBDDD) supports efforts and initiatives across the country to identify the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities; help children to develop and reach their full potential; and promote the health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities, including blood disorders. Learn how NCBDDD is making a difference in your state.
Register Today: Friends of NCBDDD in-person Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm ET
Where: Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia
Please reserve time on your calendar to attend the Friends of NCBDDD’s winter in-person meeting. The meeting will immediately follow the conclusion of the AMCHP 2018 Annual Conference. We hope to see you there! Preliminary Agenda | Registration Link
NCBDDD’s Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report

NCBDDD recently announced the launch of the NCBDDD Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report entitled: From Saving Babies to Protecting People: NCBDDD Making a Difference Across the Lifespan in 2017. The report is a wonderful compilation of NCBDDD’s notable and significant achievements by thematic area over the past fiscal year, including future directions, scientific publications, our budget, and state funding. Read more..
New to the Friends?
Have you recently joined the Friends of NCBDDD listserv? If so, please contact Membership Chair Diana Felner (diana.felner@tourette.org) so that you can be added to our Membership Directory. Thank you for supporting the mission of Friends of NCBDDD!
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Saving Babies |
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month
The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) prepared the 2018 National Birth Defects Prevention Month packet in collaboration with many partners. The campaign, “Prevent to Protect: Prevent Infections for Baby’s Protection,” placed a special emphasis on the importance of preventing infections before and during pregnancy that can increase the risk of having a baby with a birth defect. Packet materials are freely available from NBDPN. Read more…
National Folic Acid Awareness Week is January 7-13, 2018
NBDPN has created a suite of materials and resources to highlight the importance of folic acid consumption before and during pregnancy. These materials can be used during Folic Acid Awareness Week and throughout the year. Materials, including English- and Spanish-language PSAs can be found here
Vital Signs Town Hall Teleconference – Safe Sleep for Babies
Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 2:00 p.m -3:00 p.m ET
CDC’s Vital Signs report is released the first Tuesday of every month. The following week, CDC’s Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support hosts a town hall teleconference where participants can ask questions and share success stories, best practices, and challenges around the featured topic. Read more…
Seven New Studies on Spina Bifida Published
CDC scientists and research partners recently published seven studies on spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the spine and can cause physical and intellectual disabilities. Data for these studies come from CDC’s National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR), which describes and compares patterns of clinical practice for persons with spina bifida. Read more…
NCBDDD Alerts: New Publication, “Screening for Alcohol Misuse: Practices Among U.S. Primary Care Providers”
Excessive alcohol use can result in a wide range of negative health and social consequences. Over time, this can result in serious medical conditions, such as hypertension, liver disease, and various types of cancer. Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the developing baby and is associated with other poor birth outcomes, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and sudden infant death syndrome. Read more…
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Protecting People |
HHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Updated statistics. HIV Surveillance Report
This series of reports disseminate data about HIV and AIDS, including the number of HIV diagnoses by race/ethnicity, the number of people living with HIV, and the number of people who are receiving HIV medical care. Read more…
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Helping Children |
How to Select the Best School Accommodations for Your Child with ADHD
Join our Ask the Expert webinar titled, How to Select the Best School Accommodations for Your Child with ADHD, on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 2-3 pm ET. Jennifer Engel Fisher, MS, educational consultant and associate director of Weinfeld Education Group (WEG) will discuss the accommodations that work for ADHD and how best to tailor them to meet a child’s unique needs. The parent’s role in monitoring and tracking the effectiveness of the accommodations will be discussed as well as self-advocacy tips for children. Register for this free webinar
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Improving Health |
Why Is Dental Care So Important If You Have Congenital Heart Disease? #ACHACares
Did you know that oral health and dental care is intimately related to your overall health and, in particular, to your heart health? This is even more important for those with heart defects. Are you aware of the risks for developing endocarditis from one’s mouth, how to avoid it and how to recognize it if it happens? Disty Pearson, PA-C, will discuss what optimum oral health is and how it affects your overall health—particularly your heart health. You don’t want to miss this webinar. Event Flyer I Register
Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan – 3rd edition
“This book provides a broad overview of quality health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It focuses on providing the reader a practical approach to dealing with the health and well-being of people with IDD in general terms as well as in dealing with specific conditions. In addition, it offers the reader a perspective from many different points of view in the health care delivery system as well as in different parts of the world.” Learn more…
Factors Contributing to Higher Incidence of Diabetes for Black Americans
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Blood glucose is the body’s main source of energy. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. Read more…
New Publication: CPSTF Recommendations can Improve Health in People with Disabilities
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) published a new report that summarizes how public health recommendations from the Guide to Community Preventive Services can be adapted to better benefit people with disabilities. You can learn more here.
New Fact Sheet on Healthy Eating & Healthy Aging
Following a nutritious diet is one of the best things you can do for your health as you age. For individuals aging with disability, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet that also supports any medications you may be taking. The University of Washington’s Healthy Aging RRTC has published a new fact sheet on Healthy Eating & Healthy Aging and is available on the RRTC website.
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News from NCBDDD |
Sign Up Today – NCBDDD Partner Alerts Now Disseminated Through GovDelivery
NCBDDD Partner Alerts have transitioned to GovDelivery. Haven’t subscribed yet? Simply click here. When the new window opens, enter your email address, and click “submit”. When the above process is complete, you are subscribed for future NCBDDD Partner Alerts delivered via GovDelivery!
Social Media Corner
Join a Twitter chat
Topic: #Prevent2Protect Birth Defects Prevention Month Chat
Description: Participants will discuss how to prevent infections to protect babies & families from birth defects & other health problems.
Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Time: 2—3PM ET
Host: @MODHealthTalk
To join: Use #Prevent2Protect
Please Add NCBDDD Connect Badge to Your E-mail Signature:
- Open Microsoft Outlook
- Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures
- Right click the graphic below and select “copy”
- Paste the graphic into your desired signature in the “Edit signature” field
- Click on the graphic and then click the hyperlink icon in the top right of the “Edit signature” field
- Click on the graphic and then click the hyperlink icon in the top right of the “Edit signature” field
- Be sure http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/connect/index.html is listed in the URL box and hit OK

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Submit Here |
Do you have an update or event you would like to share with the Friends of NCBDDD? Newsletter items may be submitted for consideration via email to acostalas@aucd.org. Send updates on conferences, meetings, special awards and journal or research announcements for the next edition of the Friends of NCBDDD E-Newsletter! Submit program highlights with a short summary of 150-200 words to Anna Costalas by 2/9/2018. Photos and web links are encouraged!!

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AUCD | 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
The Friends of NCBDDD is a coalition of government and private sector participants who work together to enhance the mission and activities of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) in promoting child development; preventing birth defects and developmental disorders/disabilities; and enhancing the quality of life and preventing secondary conditions among people who are living with mental or physical disabilities, or a combination thereof. For any questions regarding this edition or previous editions please contact Anna Costalas. |