- MONDAY MORNING MEMO -

To: HMHB Members
Date: August 24, 2009, Volume 11, Edition 34

News from National
Late last week an MMWR from the CDC summarized the recommendations from the Adisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.  The report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr58e0821a1.htm.

Judy Meehan
Executive Director

This Week:
1) Treatment Recommendations for Depression During Pregnancy
2) Rise in Age of First-Time Motherhood
3) Pediatricians Answer Vaccine Questions
4) Call for Presentations:  AMCHP Annual Conference
5) Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers
6) FDA Committee to Discuss HPV Vaccine - Public Comment Guidelines

MATERNAL-INFANT HEALTH NEWS
1) TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEPRESSION DURING PREGNANCY
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have released a report offering recommendations for the treatment of women with depression during pregnancy.  Published in the September 2009 edition of "Obstetrics and Gynecology" and the September/October 2009 edition of "General Hospital Psychiatry," the report attempts to help doctors and patients weigh the risks and benefits of various treatment options.  Depression is common during pregnancy, with 14 to 23 percent of pregnant women experiencing depressive symptoms.  In 2003, approximately 13 percent of women took an antidepressant at some time during their pregnancy.  Pregnant women with depression face complicated treatment decisions because of the risks associated with both untreated depression and the use of antidepressants.  For more information, go to http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-21-09-1.cfm.
2) RISE IN AGE OF FIRST-TIME MOTHERHOOD
In the United States, the average age of first-time mothers rose from 21.4 years in 1970 to 25 in 2006, according to an August 2009 data brief from the National Center for Health Statistics.  Data from the Birth Data File in the National Vital Statistics System show that the average age at first birth increased in all states and the District of Columbia.  Massachusetts (5.2 years) and the District of Columbia (5.5 years) had the largest increases since 1970.  Age at first birth influences the total number of births that a woman might have in her life, which impacts the future growth of the population.  The mother's age (both younger and older) also plays a role in a range of birth outcomes, including birthweight, multiple births and birth defects.  For more information, go to
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db21.htm.
CHILD, ADOLESCENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS
3) PEDIATRICIANS ANSWER VACCINE QUESTIONS
Parents have many questions about the vaccines their children need.  To answer these questions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Sound Advice Web page features a collection of audio interviews with pediatricians, researchers, advocates and other parents.  August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), a perfect time to remind people of all ages about the importance of timely vaccination.  The interviews include a conversation with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who discusses her crusade to ensure all children receive life-saving vaccines, Dr. Harvey Karp, the pediatrician who has coached thousands of new parents through his book and DVD, "The Happiest Baby on the Block," who explains in clear, easy-to-understand language why vaccines are not related to autism, and many more.  Specific questions answered on the Sound Advice Web page include:  why is it important to vaccinate on time; why do children need the flu shot; and what vaccines do adolescents need?
  To access the interviews, go to http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/soundadvice.html.
4) CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS:  AMCHP ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Program (AMCHP) has issued a call for presentations for its 2010 annual conference, scheduled for March 6-10, 2010.  The deadline for presentations is August 31, 2009.  Accepted presentations will be notified by October 13, 2009.  The meeting, which will be held at the Gaylord National Convention Center and Hotel just outside of Washington, DC, is the largest annual gathering of state maternal and child health programs.  The 2010 AMCHP conference will focus on topics such as health equity; quality improvement and instituting quality for improving performance; family, family-professional and public and private partnerships; social marketing messages, tools and resources, and much more.  Go to http://conferencemanagersforms.com/AMCHP/AMCHP_AbstractsSubmission.aspx for guidelines for submission and online submission form.  For more information, contact AMCHPspeakers@conferencemanagers.com or phone Colleen Campbell at 703-964-1240 Ext.
16.
5) BREASTFEEDING FACTS FOR FATHERS
Platypus Media has created an abridged version of its popular booklet, "Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers."  Designed to meet the needs of low literacy readers, the abridged publication is half the length of the original publication, and highlights the crucial role men have in encouraging their partners to breastfeed.  Platypus Media is offering a FREE copy of "Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers" to all readers of the Monday Morning Memo.  To request your copy, send an email with your mailing address to Denise@PlatypusMedia.com.  For more information about the publication, go to http://www.platypusmedia.com/node/42.
ADVOCATES IN ACTION
6) FDA COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HPV VACCINE - PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES
On the morning of September 9, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will discuss and make recommendations on the safety and effectiveness in females of a vaccine against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.  That afternoon the committee will also discuss and make recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of vaccinating males with Gardasil, a vaccine against HPV manufactured by Merck & Co.  Interested persons may present data, information, or views, orally or in writing, on issues pending before the committee.  Written submissions may be made on or before September 4, 2009.  Those interested in making a formal oral presentation must submit a brief statement of the general nature of the evidence or arguments they wish to present, the names and addresses of proposed participants, and an indication of the approximate time requested to make their presentation on or before August 27, 20
09.  For more information, access the FDA Web site at http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm178920.htm. 
Sources:
http://conferencemanagersforms.com/AMCHP/AMCHP_AbstractsSubmission.aspx
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-21-09-1.cfm
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db21.htm
http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/soundadvice.html
http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm178920.htm
http://www.platypusmedia.com/node/42
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Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of or the endorsement by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on the HMHB Web site at http://www.hmhb.org/disclaimer.html
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