Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today announced a radio- and digital-based Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico. Radiomessages set to debut on Monday, May 9, and subsequent online placements will encourage women to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika.
The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children.
“The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children,” said Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation. “We are actively seeking additional partners to sustain this initiative while the need remains, and to complement the work of all those in the public health community who are standing with the people affected by this situation.”
The NACDS Foundation primarily focuses on fostering evidence-based research through strategic partnerships. Based on conversations with public health authorities, the NACDS Foundation made the decision to assist with the prevention education effort. The NACDS Foundation intends to leverage the effort by securing additional partners to extend the campaign for a year, or as needed.
“I personally appreciate this meaningful work to help the people of Puerto Rico address a public health situation facing this generation and generations to come,” said Luis Fortuño, former Governor of Puerto Rico. “At times like this, the needs are great, and raising awareness is among those critical needs. I applaud the philanthropic and private entities that are playing a vital role in this emerging public health threat, like the NACDS Foundation’s campaign that will help get the word out about prevention.”
In an April 15 briefing for philanthropic and business leaders, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., said the current Zika virus outbreak is unprecedented, and that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects as well as devastating pregnancy outcomes, such as pregnancy loss. Following the briefing, CDC Foundation President and CEO Judith A. Monroe, M.D., FAAFP, wrote to attendees, “We hope you agree the Zika outbreak represents an urgent public health threat and resources are essential to address it.”
The following elements of the initiative are available for review:
· Radio message (Spanish)
· Radio script (Spanish and English translation)
· Digital message (Spanish)
