Cesarean Awareness Month April 2012

Cesarean Awareness Month aims to raise awareness and educate people about cesareans.
This awareness campaign supports a reduction in the number of cesareans in mothers who do not really need or who will not benefit from this procedure when compared to a vaginal birth. Cesarean Awareness Month also promotes Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and support for recovery from a cesarean.


Raising Awareness About Cesarean Section

A cesarean section is a surgical operation in which a baby is delivered through a cut in the front wall of the abdomen and womb. This procedure is often used when a vaginal birth carries a higher risk of complications. For example, a cesarean section may be performed when:

• A baby is in a feet first position (breech position).
• The mother has gone into premature labor.
• The labor does not progress in a normal manner.
• There is a viral infection (such as hepatitis C or HIV).
• The mother has placenta praevia; a condition in which the placenta is low lying and covers part of the entrance to the womb.

Becoming Aware Of The Increasing Trend Towards Cesarean Section In the US and in many other countries the proportion of cesarean sections has risen steadily in recent years and this rise is not due to a rise in complications listed above. In the US, the 2007 cesarean section rate was about 32%; for every 3 births one was by cesarean section, compared to about 5%, or 1 in 20, during the mid 1960's. The reasons for this rise have been widely debated and may be due to many factors. These include a rise in multiple births, an increase in obesity in pregnant women, and a rise in the number of older women giving birth. Induced labor is also more commonplace and is associated with a rise in C-Sections. Couple these factors with a trend in healthcare providers and health insurance companies generally favoring cesarean section over vaginal birth, and we can begin to understand this higher rate. Lack Of Awareness Of Cesarean Complications There is also a lack of awareness in mothers that cesarean sections are a major operation which carries its own potential complications. This surgery can lead to increased risk of infection, blood clots, intense longer lasting pain, and repeat hospital visits as a result. Health professionals do not always give expectant mothers an informed choice, favoring cesarean section over a vaginal birth. This may be due to a fear that there is greater risk of being sued if there are complications with vaginal birth when compared to cesarean section. Whilst current rates are over 30% in the US, there is evidence which suggests that a cesarean section rate of about 5-10% is optimal in terms of best outcome for mothers and babies. Cesarean Awareness Month aims to make expectant mothers aware that vaginal births can often be a choice they can take over cesarean section.

World Kidney Day - 8th March

Kidney diseases are increasing very rapidly to epidemic proportions worldwide. In order to increase public awareness about kidney diseases, World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. This year, it falls on 8^th March.

World Kidney day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

Mission statement:

The mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

• Our objectives are the following:

• Raise awareness about our "amazing kidneys"
• Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
• Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD
• Encourage preventive behaviors
• Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
• Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Health authorities worldwide will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening
• Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

 ‘Protect your kidneys save your heart’.

 addressing kidney disease early is one way of preventing any damage to kidneys & will have a positive impact on helping to reduce cardiovascular diseases as well.

If detected early, Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated--thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reduce the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.

Red Cross Month March

 
About American Red Cross - ARC

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and is the United States premier emergency response organization. The American Red Cross is part of a worldwide organization which offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war.

In the United States around 4 million people give blood to the Red Cross, making this organization the largest supplier of blood and products in the country.
The American Red Cross is not funded by the government. They rely on donations of time, money and blood to keep the organization running.
Over the years, the American Red Cross has expanded its services. These include:

Disaster Services - the American Red Cross supports victims of disasters including fires, floods, earthquakes, heat waves and hurricanes. This support helps to 'pick up the pieces' after the disaster and make take the form of: medical help food safety water treatment financial help emergency accommodation

Blood Services - the American Red Cross serves more than three thousand hospitals throughout the United States

Communications Between Military Members and Families - the American Red Cross facilities communications between those serving in the Armed Forces in important events around the world and their family members back home.

Health and Safety Safety Services - these include health and safety training in wide range of areas. From CPR and blood bourne pathogens training to HIV/AID education. From swimming and life guarding to American Red Cross Preparedness programs which help people lead healthier and safer lives.

International Services - these include helping vulnerable people worldwide to prevent, prepare for and respond to: disasters life-threatening health conditions complex humanitarian emergencies

Volunteer Services - there are various opportunities to help the American Red Cross. Opportunities include: Disaster Services HIV/AIDS mentoring Health and Safety instructors Blood donor recruiter Youth group liaison Speakers Special Projects

Youth Services - The Red Cross have been partners with the Junior Red Cross since it was founded in 1917. Services include: Disaster Response Leadership Development Health and Safety Services Biomedical Services School Related Activities International Services

Nursing - over 30 000 nurses are involved in paid and volunteer capacities at all levels and in all service areas throughout the American Red Cross. Nursing services include: Functioning in governance roles Teaching and development courses: including CPR, first aid, Nurse Assistant Training Direct services including local Disaster Action Teams, volunteer in military clinics and hospitals, first aid stations, blood collection teams and health fairs.