The Newborn Channel Recognizes Newborn Screening Awareness Month

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wellness Network, parent company of The Patient Channel and The Newborn Channel, joins advocates across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom this month in recognizing National Newborn Screening (NBS) Awareness Month. Started in September 2000 by the Save Babies Through Screening (SBTS) Foundation, along with several partner organizations, the event shines a national spotlight to newborn screening and its detectable diseases.

According to SBTS, National NBS Awareness Month offers the opportunity to further inform the public of newborn screening which can prevent the serious complications of undiagnosed underlying disorders in children. The goal is to raise the awareness of newborn screening to the general public by continuous, ongoing education about newborn screening. Throughout this past year, The Newborn Channel was host to special programming dedicated to newborn screening, including a PSA featuring actor Scott Baio and his wife Renee, who recently had a personal experience with newborn screening when their baby daughter was born.

"During September, our hope is make a special effort to reach the more than 4 million families who are expecting babies this year," said Jill Levy-Fisch, Foundation President. "There is a crucial need for education around the topic of newborn screening, and we are dedicated to making sure new parents ensure their newborn is screened comprehensively and successfully."

"We are passionate about this cause, and remain dedicated in support of SBTS's plight to educate families about newborn screening," said Dr. Tanya Altmann, medical advisor to The Newborn Channel. "We look forward to featuring a segment throughout the year on the Channel, ensuring we reach as many births as possible."

The Newborn Channel and its sister channel The Patient Channel represent the largest out-of-home health media network in the United States, together reaching more than 20 million patients and their caregivers and nearly 80 percent of new moms annually. The Channels are valuable educational tools for health care professionals to empower patients and their families with information about their conditions and general wellness concerns during their hospital stay.

Additional information about The Wellness Network and details about programming, sponsorship opportunities and more can be found at visit www.thewellnessnetwork.tv.

About The Wellness Network

The Wellness Network owns The Patient Channel and The Newborn Channel, the most comprehensive in-hospital TV networks. Delivered directly to patient rooms and waiting areas, the Channels provide viewers with original, award-winning health programs and advertisers with the unique ability to integrate brand messaging with content that is compelling and endorsed by health care professionals. The Newborn Channel broadcasts round-the-clock baby care and postpartum programming for new moms. The Patient Channel features both condition-specific and preventative health programming to empower and inform patients. The Channels are available in more than 2,500 hospitals nationwide. The Wellness Network is also a partner in the Joint Commission Resources Quality and Safety Network, a continuing medical education series for health care professionals produced by Joint Commission Resources and distributed by The Wellness Network.

For more information, visit www.thewellnessnetwork.tv.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessie Barrett
Ricochet PR for The Wellness Network
[email protected]
(212) 679-3300 x125

SOURCE The Wellness Network