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PREMATURE BIRTHS As numbers rise, so does alarm The March of Dimes wants parents to be aware of a new, massive report that indicates the number of premature births continues to rise. The report, released in September by the National Center for Health Statistics, reports on numbers from 2003, the most current reporting period. Some of the data was included in October’s Cover Story in Inland Empire Family Magazine’s sister magazine, OC Family, on the work being done at UCI Medical Center in Orange (go to ocfamily.com October Cover Story). Today, some 12.3% of all babies 499,008 are born prematurely in the United States, according to the 2003 data. That is up from 12.1%, or some 480,000 babies, reported in 2002, which follows a 22-year trend in which nearly every year, the numbers increase. Since the government began tracking premature births in 1981, there has been an increase of more than 30%. In that year, the prematurity rate was 9.4%. According to the March of Dimes, prematurity is the No. 1 killer of babies, and those who survive have a greater chance of physical damage, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, learning problems, and blindness. The nonprofit began a multi-year campaign in 2003 to address the growing rate of premature birth. Part of the educational information is to help women detect signs and symptoms of premature birth and to support more research on the causes of premature labor. One goal is to help reach a goal set by the U.S. Public Health Service to reduce the rate to 7.6% by 2010. For more information, visit marchofdimes.com (type in “prematurity” in the Search area). For Spanish speakers, go to: nacersano.org. ENVIRONMENT Children to be studied for disease The National Institutes of Health will begin the largest study ever to assess the effects of the environment on child and adult health. UC Irvine will be one of the locations in which to conduct the studies. Overall, the so-called National Children’s Study will follow more than 100,000 children from birth. “It would meticulously measure their environmental exposures while tracking their health and development,” says Dr. Duane Alexander, director of the National Institute of Health and Human Development. This would occur “from infancy through childhood, until age 21, seeking the root causes of many childhood and adult diseases.” How much disease is caused by the environment and how much from genetics has long been a key medical question. By studying the food children eat and the air that they breathe, and the schools and neighborhoods in which they learn and play, researchers hope to unlock some answers. Even the composition of house dust will be studied. Other locations besides UCI are: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, N.Y.; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Utah, Salt Lake City; and University of Wisconsin-Madison. “We’re looking to find the root causes of many common diseases and disorders,” says Dr. Richard Carmona, United States surgeon general. “When we do, we’ll be in a position to prevent them from ever occurring.” The study may help with indoor environmental exposure such as secondhand smoke, lead, radon and asbestos. FEAR OF FAILURE It’s the F grade, not the school, that worries More than half of the children in the United States believe education is “very important.” However, they feel that the fear of failure is somewhat of an obstacle that may be holding them back from success.The Start Something free character education program from Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation released a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive indicating what today’s children ages 8-17 feel about goals and success. According to the survey, 55% of the children stated that “having a goal(s)” is “very important” to achieving success and 70% of respondents said that education was the most important factor. Although these children know that goals and education are key to a successful life, 52% feel that “fear of trying to achieve my goals and failing” is an obstacle and 49% believe that “not believing I can achieve my goals” is a setback as well. Of the children surveyed, 33% also stated that they were “not sure if they felt adequately prepared to develop a plan to achieve their goals.” Through the Start Something program, Target is helping children identify a specific personal goal and begin taking the steps and action toward that goal. By Colleen Corkery FAMILY NEWS BITES NEW CONSERVATORY IN TEMECULA Ballet Temecula has expanded its scope, changed locations and is now known as the Ballet Temecula International Arts Conservatory. In addition to offering ballet classes, owner Aubrey Walker says that the Conservatory is also offering classes in voice, classical tap, and other disciplines. The new location is 26825 Jefferson Ave., Unit D in Murrieta. For information, call 951.677.4300. FAMILY HIKING TRAIL The new Children’s Forest Exploration Trail recently opened in the National Children’s Forest near Running Springs. The 4.5-mile family-friendly trail winds right through the middle of the Children’s Forest. In 1993, 3,400 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest were set aside to create the Children’s Forest, the first of its kind in the nation, with the mission of getting young people interested in the care of the forest. The trailhead is located on Keller Peak Road, just south of Highway 18 in Deerlick. Call 909.382.2782 for information and directions. MUSEUM IMPROVEMENTS The San Bernardino County Museum’s live animal gallery, the Exploration Station, will remain closed until December as construction on upgrades to the museum continues. “Our former Special Exhibits Hall is being transformed into the Education Center, a facility dedicated to family programming and hands-on activities and exhibits,” says Museum Director Robert McKernan. “The transformation includes construction to assure that the complex, including the Exploration Station, meets the latest standards for accessibility.” The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. Information: 909.307.2669. NEW CEO FOR VALLY HEALTH SYSTEM James Maki has been appointed chief executive officer of Valley Health System. Maki has previously served as CEO of East Valley Hospital Medical Center in Glendora and, most recently, as chief operating officer at Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park. Valley Health System, headquartered in Hemet, operates three acute care hospitals locally Hemet Valley Medical Center, Menifee Valley Medical Center, and Moreno Valley Community Hospital. NEW MERCHANTS FOR VICTORIA GARDENS Reflection Shoes and Eddie Bauer are joining the roster of more than 150 stores and 20 eateries at the Victoria Gardens shopping center this month. Eddie Bauer offers outdoor and casual apparel, shoes and accessories for men and women. Reflection Shoes specializes in women’s shoes, handbags, costume jewelry, hosiery, and belts. The open-air shopping center is located at the northwest corner of I-15 and Foothill Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga. READING WITH CHEERIOS The fourth annual Cheerios “Spoonful of Stories” program is putting 5 million free children’s books inside boxes of Cheerios cereal. The program begins with National Children’s Book Week, presented Nov. 14-20, and runs through early 2006. Books by authors John Lithgow and Sonia Manzano (“Maria” from Sesame Street) are among those being offered. Cheerios is also donating $500,000 to First Book, a national children’s literacy program aimed at getting books to children from low-income families. Families can also contribute to First Book through donation forms on Cheerios boxes. Reported and compiled by Inland Empire Family Magazine staff |
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