Each year, millions of Americans make their resolutions for the New Year. Five of those commitments usually are related to health. We are told that when you eat healthy and stay fit, you can reduce your risk for more serious problems like high blood pressure or cholesterol. That cuts down on the need to visit a physician and the chance of more chronic conditions occurring. Unfortunately, these resolutions are hard for many of us to keep.

Today, healthcare costs are escalating making your access to it more unaffordable than ever before. Palm Beach County residents of all ages and at all income levels identify the healthcare dilemma as a critical concern. I hope that one of your New Year’s resolutions will be to help "Make Healthcare More Accessible.” You can do that right now! Join the HM/HB 9 Month Club. The mission of Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies is to assure that all pregnant women in Palm Beach County have access to early and consistent prenatal care.

It is a fact that mothers who received no prenatal care are 3 times more likely to deliver babies weighing less than 5 lbs 8 oz. Babies that weigh less than 5 lbs 8 oz. are likely to experience more physical and developmental problems that can include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, sight, hearing impairments or pulmonary issues. Later in life there is an increased risk of adult onset diabetes and coronary disease.

Despite being a small fraction of all births, low birth weight infants account for more than one third of all dollars spent on healthcare for infants. In all too many instances these problems could be deterred with early and consistent access to prenatal care, education for the mother about smoking cessation and nutrition. Prevention is less costly than the treatment of the problems that can ensue in the life of a low birth weight baby.

Your membership in the 9 Month Club enables Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies to carry out its mission to educate women in our county about the importance of prenatal care and to assist them in accessing that care early and consistently. In addition, your donations will allow Prenatal Care Coordinators to monitor a pregnant woman’s care and provide referrals and educational resources. HM/HB MomCare staff will continue to explain care options to women enrolled in the Medicaid program.

Together we can assure that the resolution to “Make Healthcare More Accessible” is carried out in 2008 and help to reduce healthcare costs at the same time.

I look forward to sharing good news about our efforts.

Cathy Cohn, President/CEO

Please fill out the following form to register for the 9 Month Club and receive a pamplet in the mail. If you are unsure about whether you want to pay yet, or you want to pay by check, please select "Send me more information in the mail". After you submit this form you will be taken to the payment page. All payments are secure using Paypal. Call (561)732-2110 for more information.

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Healthy Mothers/ Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County Inc. is a not-for-profit 501-(C)(3) Organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law. Federal tax id# 59-2657051. "A copy of the official registration with the state of florida #CH2075 and financial information may be obtained from the division of the consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Regisration does not implu endorsement, appoval or recommendation by the state" Call 1-800-HelpFla (1-800-735-7352)

© Healthy Mothers / Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc.