Friends of Lead Free Children Foundation created the “Nutrition for Life Health Program” in the Dominican Republic in 2003, to assist high risk pregnant women in having healthier babies. The original goal of the program was to protect the developing fetus from Lead exposure. The high risk pregnant women living in the Lead toxic environment of Haina had Lead stored in their bones and Lead was everywhere in their environment. 

The program was a huge success, with healthy babies being born in the “world’s most toxic Lead site”according to a United Nations Study.  The program was expanded each year throughout the country, to become the Largest private health program in the Dominican Republic.  To date, Friends of Lead Free Children has given over 51 million free prenatal supplements to over 143,000 high risk pregnant women, most of whom live in unhealthy toxic environments. The Nutrition for Life Health Program has created a network of 31 maternity hospitals and community health clinics country wide.

The aim of the “Nutrition for Life Health Program” is to prevent the negative long-term ramifications of Lead toxicity, low birth weight, and birth defects in children, families, and society resulting from the birth of unhealthy and low functioning infants. Many studies have found a significant inverse association between early exposure to Lead and cognitive function in childhood. Also, a clear link between low-level Lead exposure and IQ deficits, neurobehavioral development and physical growth have been repeatedly consistent in studies from around the world. Other studies are proving a relationship between low birth weight and lifetime health problems.  

Numerous recent scientific studies are proving that the “healthiness” of a newborn will greatly influence overall health throughout its lifetime. “Nutrition for Life Health Program” is a preventive program with the goal of helping women with high risk pregnancies have healthier babies. By having healthier babies, these families will be “leveling the playing field” for their children by starting out their lives without a potential burden they are neither equipped to address, nor would they have the resources to overcome health problems in the future. A child who is born full-term and healthy is likely to have fewer illnesses throughout life than a child who is born premature, at a low birth weight or with health problems.  Healthy babies grow up to do better in school and have fewer behavioral problems than infants with congenital health problems.
Premature Babies: Special Health Issues
· Respiratory Distress Syndrome
·           Chronic Lung Disease/ Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
·           Respiratory Syncytial Virus
·           Retinopathy of Prematurity
·           Apnea and Bradycardia
·           Jaundice
·           Anemia of prematurity
·           Heart Murmurs

The target group of phase one has the added  problem of being exposed, and accumulating, Lead in their bones. This harmful toxic will be transferred from mother to fetus unless something is done. Nutrition for Life provided these women with Lead Free Calcium supplements which will prevent the Lead from being transferred to the fetus. Furthermore, these women will likely have diets low in many nutrients which are necessary for proper fetal development as well as preventing certain birth defects. The special prenatal nutritional supplements will reduce birth defects by 70% to 80% and provide the baby with the vital nutrients needed for development.

HOSPITALS, HEALTH CLINICS, HEALTH PROGAMS
 IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
46 million prenatal supplements 31 hospitals & community health clinics
143,500 pregnant women
8,400 Seniors- YMCA Program
9,300 youths- IDDI, YMCA, UASD
Special * Leprosy and Aids 2,100

Hospital Maternidad Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia

Centro Materno-Infantil “San Lorenzo de”  los Minas

Hospital Dr Robert Reid Cabral (Pediátrico)

Instituto Dominican De Desarrollo Integral ( The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation)

El Hospital de La Romana es le Dr. Francisco Gonzalvo

Los Alcarrizos II Municipal Hospital

Intituto Medico de Maternidad Y Especialidades Santiago plus 9 clinics

Mayor of Santo Domingo community health clinics (2)

Manuel Jimenez Foundation

YMCA of Dominican Republic

Aldeas Infantiles SOS, Los Mina

Lions Club of Jarabacoa

Universidad Central Del Este in San Pedro de Marcoris

Hospital Tomasina Valdez Sabana Grade de Palenque

Hospital Monte Criste

Hospital San Fransico de la Marcoris

Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo – Graduate program 20 sites throughout the country  1 million prenatal supplements per year.

 IDAN maternity community clinic -Robert Reed Hospital in Capital

Governor of Puerta Plata community hospital

      Community Health Clinics Salcedo