March of Dimes Calls on Congress to Increase Government's Efforts to Halt the Increasing Rate of Premature Birth

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 13, 2004 -- Citing premature birth as one of the most common, serious and costly problems facing America's infants, the March of Dimes today asked congressional leadership to increase federal support for prematurity research and education.

“As a nation, we must address this growing crisis in infant health and make it a priority,” March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse (pronounced HOUSE) told members of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families.  “We urge swift passage of S.1726, the PREEMIE Act, which will authorize expanded research, education and services into the causes and prevention of premature birth.”  The PREEMIE Act was introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) and Ranking Member Christopher Dodd (D-Conn).

“Premature birth accounts for about half of all infant hospitalization charges.  In 2001, the total national hospital bill for premature babies was $13.6 billion. And we know that overall hospital charges are increasing so we expect this cost to rise,” Dr. Howse said.  “Prematurity affected 1 in 8 babies born in 2002 -- over 480,000.  That's an unacceptable 29 percent increase since 1981.  In addition, CDC reported the first increase in infant mortality since 1958.”

 In response to this public health crisis, the March of Dimes is beginning the second year of a five-year, $75 million campaign to address the growing rate of premature birth.  The campaign works to educate women on the signs and symptoms of premature birth, and to support more research into the causes. One of the goals of the campaign is to reduce the rate of premature birth by 15 percent by 2007.