History of the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to improving the health of mothers and…

By Staff , in Institutions , at October 6, 2024 Tags: 1938, polio, usa

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The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Established in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the organization originally focused on combating polio but later expanded its mission to address broader issues related to maternal and infant health.

Origins: Fighting Polio (1938)
The March of Dimes was founded on January 3, 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had been diagnosed with poliomyelitis (polio) in 1921. At the time, polio was a terrifying disease, primarily affecting children and causing paralysis or death.

Roosevelt sought to create a national foundation that would lead efforts to research, prevent, and treat polio. Originally called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP), the organization quickly gained widespread support.

The foundation’s name “March of Dimes” was coined by comedian Eddie Cantor, playing off the popular newsreel “The March of Time.” The phrase encouraged people to send dimes to the White House to support the fight against polio. The idea was a huge success, with millions of people contributing dimes and small donations. This grassroots fundraising effort was highly innovative and became a hallmark of the organization.

Polio Vaccine Development
Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s, the March of Dimes funded extensive research into polio, supporting scientists like Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin, both of whom were key to the development of polio vaccines.

In 1955, Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first safe and effective polio vaccine, funded largely by the March of Dimes. This was a monumental breakthrough that led to a significant decline in polio cases. Later, Albert Sabin’s oral polio vaccine, developed in the early 1960s, further contributed to the eradication of polio in the United States.

By the early 1960s, the success of the vaccine campaigns had all but eliminated polio in the U.S., and the disease was later eradicated in many parts of the world.

Expanding the Mission: Maternal and Child Health (1960s–1970s)
With the near-elimination of polio in the United States, the March of Dimes shifted its focus to broader issues affecting maternal and infant health. The organization aimed to address birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality, conditions that continued to affect the health of mothers and babies.

In 1958, the March of Dimes established the Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards, named after the organization’s first president. These grants aimed to fund promising young researchers in the fields of maternal and child health.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the March of Dimes invested in genetic research and the prevention of birth defects, promoting new advances in medical genetics, prenatal care, and neonatal intensive care. The organization played a crucial role in genetic counseling and the development of screening tests for conditions like PKU (phenylketonuria), which can cause intellectual disability if not treated early.

Advocacy and Public Education
The March of Dimes expanded its role beyond research funding to include public education and advocacy. The organization has been at the forefront of campaigns to promote prenatal care, raise awareness about the risks of premature birth, and encourage vaccinations.

The Be Good to Your Baby campaign in the 1970s and the Folic Acid Campaign in the 1990s are examples of successful public education initiatives that aimed to reduce birth defects by encouraging healthier behaviors during pregnancy.

Premature Birth and Infant Mortality (2000s)
In the early 2000s, the March of Dimes launched a major campaign to address the increasing rates of premature birth in the U.S., which had become a significant contributor to infant mortality and long-term health complications.

In 2003, the March of Dimes issued its first Premature Birth Report Card, assessing the rates of premature birth across the U.S. and calling for action to reduce these rates. The organization also funded research into the causes of premature birth and advocated for improved prenatal care for at-risk mothers.

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, launched in 2003, has made a significant impact on public awareness and policy regarding prematurity. The campaign helped lead to the passage of the PREEMIE Act in 2006, a federal law aimed at improving research, education, and treatment to prevent premature birth.

Global Impact
While the March of Dimes originally focused on issues within the United States, its mission has expanded to include global efforts to combat maternal and infant health issues. The organization works with international partners to reduce premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality in developing countries.

Through initiatives like Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait and collaborations with global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the March of Dimes seeks to improve maternal and infant health worldwide.

Recent Developments and Ongoing Work
In recent years, the March of Dimes has continued to fund research, advocate for policies that improve maternal and infant health, and raise public awareness about critical health issues.

The organization has placed a particular focus on addressing racial disparities in birth outcomes, recognizing that women of color in the U.S. face higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes continues to issue annual report cards grading the U.S. on maternal and infant health outcomes, and it remains a leading advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare for pregnant women and infants.