A direct outcome of the March of Dimes-initiated
PREEMIE Act (P.L. 109-450) was the convening of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Prevention of Preterm Birth. Held June 16-17 in Rockville, Maryland, the conference brought together experts from the public and private sectors to address the complex, costly, and heartbreaking problem of preterm birth.
At the conclusion of the conference, it was clear that in order to reduce the societal, economic, and human costs of this epidemic, prevention of preterm birth must be a national health priority.
Both days of the sessions were opened by Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H, RADM, USPHS; Dr. Duane Alexander, director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer Howse who spoke of the need for leadership.
In addition, March of Dimes staff and volunteers were key participants in each of the six workgroups that developed goals for an action plan. The goals were presented to the Surgeon General at the conclusion of the conference.
Achieving the goals of this plan will require both private and public resources for broad-based research, capacity building, data systems, creation of interventions, quality initiatives, and a comprehensive communications strategy.
With the extension of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign to 2020, the March of Dimes will lead to build momentum and public-private collaboration, support implementation of interventions, and recognize success.
Get Informed - Background information on preterm birth, the PREEMIE Act, and curent federal government activities.
