Background:
One-half of the approximately 4,000,000 births in the US are to women in the workplace. In 2005, there were over 500,000 babies born prematurely, before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Prematurity is a major factor in neonatal death and infant illness such as cerebral palsy. The Institute of Medicine estimates the annual societal burden associated with preterm birth in 2005 in the US at over $26 billion annually, including medical, special education, and lost productivity. The cost to employers for a preterm birth alone is approximately $41,610 vs. $2,830 for an uncomplicated full term birth. There are 14 risk factors including smoking, diabetes, and obesity that if modified by women during the preconception or prenatal periods, could improve pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives:
Learn about a tool that provides web-based education for women interested in preconception and/or prenatal health care
Understand the public health benefit of a well-educated employee
Learn the costs to employers of premature birth


Methods:
The March of Dimes has created Healthy Babies, Healthy Business, a FREE multi-dimensional health education program for employers. The program is comprised of six components (an intranet-based portal for employees with preconception/prenatal content; English and Spanish language Web content; email access to health information specialists; bilingual printed materials; informative and emotional support for parents of preemies; and bereavement support). The use of the employer's intranet provides a direct way to reach, educate and engage employees. This information can influence employees to make better, healthy decisions about their health and health care. By encouraging employees to use these services, employers can also promote their own benefits such as smoking cessation and EAP programs to address these risk factors. This would encourage employees to avoid risky behaviors associated with premature births or any negative pregnancy outcome.

Results:
To date (5/07), the program has been placed in 20 companies. Additional results such as page views, employer and employee feedback and evaluation will be presented at the meeting.

Conclusion and implications for practice:
Providing trusted health education information about preconception health directly on an employer's intranet, along with other resources, can assist in directing employees to healthy lifestyle choices. This may lead to improved pregnancy outcomes.