Comments by Dr. Koop
Healthy Mothers/Gerber Press Briefing
September 22

(approximately 10 minutes)

"Goal:  To continue to improve maternal and infant health and to
help achieve the goal of reducing infant mortality to fewer than
nifie deaths per 1,000 live births by 1990."

--Objectives for the Nation

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Reducing the incidence of low birth weight and birth defects
through intervention with the mother before and during
pregnancy is a high priority for promoting infant health.

Diet, social and economic.status, marital status, the age
of the mother, use of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, and
prenatal health services affect birth weight and health of
the mother and child.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition is a partnership
of government, professional, and voluntary organizations
and agencies designed to increase the awareness of pregnant
women about the importance of good health for themselves
and their unborn babies.  (Membership list is attached.)
One Coalition project is a series of six posters (titles are
attached) and health information cards for clinics serving
low-income new or expectant mothers;  Clinic subscribers will
receive materials on a new subject every other month for a
year beginning approximately January 1983.  Each of the
series is co-sponsored by the Public Health Service and
a private sector group:

- Nutrition - Gerber Foods (photo in press packet)

- Breast feeding - American College of Obstetricians
  and Gynecologists

- Smoking - March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

- Alcohol - Licensed Beverage Information Council

(Co-sponsors have not been named for medications and prenatal
care topics.)

This is one of several Coalition projects.

o In addition, we know that women in their childbearing years
read what you write (chart of ten most popular magazines for
this age group is attached).  And some of you write especially
  for pregnant women.


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0  How you can help - feature articles on health promotion
during pregnancy give attention to prenatal care in
health columns or other magazine.features; include a
letter to the editor from the Surgeon General; use public
service print ads (based on posters).  l3rief information
on each of the six most important topics is included in
  the press kit.  The Public Health Service can provide any
background information or other assistance you may need.