First Baby Of 2013 Has Great Expectations

March of Dimes Celebrates 75 Years of Healthy Births

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Babies born in 2013 have a better chance for a long and healthy life than earlier generations, thanks to 75 years of health advances, made possible in part by the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes says babies born next year will live longer and are less likely to have a birth defect than those born 75 years ago. They are also much less likely to die from an infectious disease thanks to widespread use of vaccinations to prevent polio, rubella, measles and several other infections.

The March of Dimes was founded in January 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A polio sufferer himself, FDR founded the organization to "lead, direct and unify" the fight against polio. The March of Dimes funded the development of the Salk vaccine which was tested in 1954 and licensed a year later, as well as the Sabin vaccine which became available in 1962. Nearly all babies born today still receive this lifesaving injection. More information about March of Dimes history can be found at marchofdimes.com/75.