WADOH: Upcoming Public Forums on High Rates of Birth Defects in Yakima, Tricities

The Washington State Department of Health (WADOH) will host a public forum regarding high birth defect rates in Yakima, Tri-cities on May 13 and 14.

WADOH Staff involved in the anencephaly investigation will be available to listen to concerns and answer questions at the public forum. The reason for concern is that anencephaly in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties is 8.7 per 10,000 births (over 400% higher), compared to 2.1.

Information gathered from local residents will be shared with an advisory committee that will consider what else can be done to prevent anencephaly and to find the cause of the high rates. Spanish language interpretation will be available.

Seven cases of the birth defect anencephaly reported in 3 central WA counties in 2013—above nat’l rate. http://t.co/KidEdfB0zj

— WA Dept. of Health (@WA_DeptofHealth) April 22, 2014

Where to Attend

These “listening sessions” will be hosted at:

May 13, 6-8 PM

Sunnyside Community Center (Sunnyside, WA)

May 14, 6-8 PM

Benton-Franklin Health District Office (Kennewick, WA)

For more details:
Download Original Press Release

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