ST. LOUIS, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene
Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that its Start Smart for
Your Baby® program has collaborated with the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) to produce "A Guide to Your Baby's Care -- The
First Year."
"A Guide to Your Baby's Care -- The First Year" is a 40-page
booklet created for low-income mothers and families, which provides
information and tips to help parents make informed decisions about
their babies' health in the first year of life. The guide, given to
Centene healthcare members, covers a wide range of topics including
well-child visits, immunizations, breastfeeding and child
safety.
Centene's internationally recognized Start Smart program focuses
on early identification of pregnant women, risk screening, case
management and member empowerment to positively impact pregnancy
outcomes and neonatal-intensive care unit rates.
"Centene and the AAP share a vision of providing optimal health
outcomes for children across the nation," said Mary Mason, M.D., Centene's Chief Medical
Officer and founder of Start Smart. "We are fortunate to have
collaborated with a leader in pediatric care to create a resource
that will improve the health of new mothers and their babies."
"The booklet is an excellent source of information and guidance
for young parents," said O. Marion
Burton, MD, FAAP, president of the AAP. "The AAP is hopeful
that this program will help babies get the strong start in life
that they deserve."
Centene and the AAP continue to explore opportunities in
children's health. By disseminating materials and working with
physicians, the two organizations hope to address the needs of
children, including more targeted groups such as children in foster
care, and to promote messages to families about children's health,
safety and well-being.
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000
primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and
pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and
well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For
more information, please visit www.aap.org or
www.healthychildren.org.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading
multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and
related services to the rising number of under-insured and
uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under
Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to
other state-sponsored programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans).
Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique, "exchange
based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income
populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a
range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other
healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty
services including behavioral health, life and health management,
managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits
management. More information regarding Centene is available at
www.centene.com.
SOURCE Centene Corporation