Arlington, Va. – As part of a Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today launched an online presence that will complement radio messages that began airing on Monday, May 9.

Since announcing this campaign a week ago, it has been wonderful to hear from other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping to sustain this initiative. We hope that these and additional partnerships will help to meet this pressing health need for as long as it exists.

Like the radio messages, the online displays encourage women and their families to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika. The online displays link to a microsite that provides easy access to vital information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation.

“The radio and online messages share the same goal: to help educate and empower women in Puerto Rico and their families about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children,” said Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation. “Since announcing this campaign a week ago, it has been wonderful to hear from other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping to sustain this initiative. We hope that these and additional partnerships will help to meet this pressing health need for as long as it exists.”

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, when the campaign was announced last week. “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, 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:

·       Digital message (Spanish)

·       Microsite (Spanish and English)

·       Radio message (Spanish)

·       Radio script (Spanish and English translation)