(Manchester, CT, Nov. 17, 2009)— For the second consecutive year, Connecticut earned a “C” on the second annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card but it showed improvement on criteria that can help give all babies a healthy start in life.
The March of Dimes released its second annual report card today, the 7th Annual Prematurity Awareness Day ®, when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on the growing problem of premature birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation). Also for the second consecutive year, the United States earned only a “D” on the Report Card, demonstrating that more than a half million of our nation’s newborns didn’t get the healthy start they deserved. As in 2008, no state earned an “A” and only Vermont received a “B.”
Among the selected contributing factors of preterm birth, improving access to health care coverage earned a star on the 2009 Connecticut report card for its improved rate (from a previous rate of 13.5 % to the latest rate of 12.2%). Connecticut has continued to provide expanded medical coverage for pregnant women up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, allowing more pregnant women access to health coverage.
Other contributing factors include:
•Reducing the percentage of women of child-bearing age who smoke;
•Lowering the late preterm birth rate.
Both the rates of women smoking and late preterm births increased since the initial report card in 2008. In Connecticut, the rate of late preterm births is 10.5%; and the rate of women smoking is 18.7%. Late preterm birth is one that occurs between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
“Here in Connecticut our advocacy efforts include urging state policymakers to support smoking cessation programs as a part of maternity care. It is scientifically and medically acknowledged that eliminating smoking during pregnancy dramatically decreases the chances and rates of preterm birth,” said Michael Botelho, March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter Public Affairs Chair. “We have a long way to go before all babies in America get a healthy start in life and we are committed to working with state health officials, hospitals and health care providers to continue to fight for preemies.”
In the US, more than 540,000 babies are born too soon each year. Preterm birth is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. It is the leading cause of newborn death and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, mental retardation and others. A March of Dimes report released in October found that 13 million babies worldwide were born preterm and more than one million die each year.
Quality improvement programs are key to lowering preterm birth rates, according to the March of Dimes.
Also on Prematurity Awareness Day in Connecticut*
Families, March of Dimes volunteers and hospital staff will gather at UConn Health Center in Farmington for the unveiling of the new “Family Centered Care” photo gallery. This new photo display in the neonatal intensive care unit features babies and their families from around the state who have spent time in the unit and showcases the unique and special moments of babies undergoing intensive care. Photos were taken by West Hartford resident Patty Swanson, a longtime March of Dimes volunteer and mother of twins who spent time in the UConn NICU.
The March of Dimes is the leading organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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