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Government of Canada Partners with the CHEO Research Institute to Improve Maternal HealthInnovative mobile app to help women stay healthy during pregnancy OTTAWA, July 31, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, announced funding for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute for a project that will help improve the health of expectant mothers and their unborn children. Through the Multi-sectoral Partnerships Approach to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease initiative, the CHEO Research Institute is receiving nearly $1.5 million to develop and evaluate a mobile app that will support and empower pregnant women to make healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy. The SmartMoms-Canada mobile app will enable expectant mothers to track their weight, physical activity levels, food intake and sleep. Personalized feedback will also help women improve their health choices or provide ways they can improve them in consultation with their healthcare provider. This will allow pregnant women to manage and reduce risk factors including excessive gestational weight gain, which can contribute to gestational diabetes and obesity - both for themselves and their unborn children. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and healthy eating, helps to prevent chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease and plays an important role in the well-being and quality of life of Canadians. Today's announcement highlights how the Government of Canada is working with partners to find innovative approaches to maternal health to support healthier and more active lifestyles. Quick Facts:
Quotes: "The SmartMoms-Canada Application project is a great example of how technology is being developed to strategically improve maternal health. Our Government will continue supporting innovative approaches to promote healthy lifestyles for expectant mothers and to address the burden of chronic disease in Canada." "Time in the womb is when and where babies experience the most dramatic period of growth and development which is also instrumental in determining their long term health. Today, women want pregnancy-related guidance in real-time and at their fingertips. With PHAC funding, our national team will deliver exactly that via an innovative and interactive app. Together, we're bringing forward a personalized approach to help moms across Canada achieve better health outcomes for themselves and their newborn children." Associated Links Public Health Agency of Canada
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada |