BTN LiveBIG: Iowa's focus on youth & health of newborns

BTN?s new series, BTN LiveBIG, continues Wednesday following the Purdue at Iowa men?s basketball game, with stories about programs that emphasize the importance of screening newborns for life-threatening conditions, and an advanced driving-simulator facility to help reduce car crashes. The episode will air at 11:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

The episode will include a look at Putting Babies First, a video created by the State Hygienic Laboratory and the Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication to improve the ability of healthcare professionals to screen newborns. The short video includes proper techniques on how to administer blood tests for more than 29 different, potentially life-threatening conditions. The video has been honored with a ?Baby?s First Test Challenge Award,? provided by Genetic Alliance, a non-profit health advocacy organization dedicated to transforming health through genetics.

Wednesday?s episode also will feature Iowa?s National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS), which scientists are using to look for answers on how to improve safety on America?s roadways.  Engineers and staffers work with many groups - ranging from government and industry partners to training developers and pharmaceutical companies - to test technology that will help drivers avoid danger.

Viewers will also learn how Iowa Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz and his wife, Mary, raise funds for the University of Iowa?s Children?s Hospital through his Iowa Ladies Football Academy, which gives female fans a hands-on football experience. In addition, Iowa Men?s Basketball Head Coach Fran McCaffery discusses how important it is for the Hawkeye community to make a difference by living and giving big.