Tobacco treatment program continues fight for health of mothers and babies in San Bernardino county

Media

March of Dimes has awarded Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital with a grant to support it’s Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment Program (CTTP), helping continue the fight in San Bernardino county against use of tobacco products during pregnancy.

“We are pleased to have received this grant,” said Truphosa Otianga, DNP, executive director of patient services for Children's Hospital. “CTTP has been a prominent and influential component of the San Bernardino county public health system for more than 11 years. This grant will not only help us continue delivering education that could potentially change the outcome for many mothers and children, but also take our program to areas that are geographically distant from vital tobacco cessation resources.”

March of Dimes awarded the grant of $24,900 to partner with Children's Hospital CTTP in a combined mission to fight for the health of mothers and babies.

“The program has a long track record of success in helping pregnant women quit smoking,” said Elizabeth Williams, regional director of marketing and communications for March of Dimes. “Since smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for preterm birth and other poor birth outcomes, making the program’s services more available to women in the high desert areas will contribute to our goal of reducing the preterm birth rate in that area.”

CTTP offers a free six-week program to help expecting mothers stop use of any tobacco products both during and after their pregnancy. While learning about the harmful effects of tobacco, mothers are empowered by the program, earning resources such as free diapers and xylitol gum and support from perinatal health specialists.

CTTP is widespread in the community, offering programs and resources in Fontana, Bloomington, Rialto, Loma Linda, San Bernardino, Victorville, Apple Valley, Barstow, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Hesperia, and Twentynine Palms.

About Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital - LLUCH

The Children’s Hospital is the only dedicated pediatric hospital in the vast geographic region of San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties. With 348 beds dedicated just for kids, one of the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the country and more than 100,000 children who come each year, LLUCH is a major pediatric teaching facility, known worldwide as the pioneer of neonatal heart transplantation. LLUCH is part of Loma Linda University Health – the umbrella organization encompassing Loma Linda University’s eight professional schools, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s six hospitals and more than 900 faculty physicians located across the Inland Empire in Southern California. A Seventh-day Adventist organization, Loma Linda University Health is a faith-based health system with a mission “to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”

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