Prematurity Campaign

• In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.
• Worldwide, 13 million babies are born too soon each year.
• We’re working to address the crisis at home and abroad.

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Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States. Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That’s serious cause for concern.

Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns.

The Prematurity Campaign
In 2003, the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity Campaign to address the crisis and help families have full-term, healthy babies. We’re funding lifesaving research and speaking out for legislation that improves care for moms and babies. Worldwide, 13 million babies are born prematurely each year. In 2008, we expanded the campaign globally.

Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait
The Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® program focuses on preventing preventable preterm birth. This new collaborative model is already showing signs of success. A new Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait™ education campaign began in 2011 to educate women with healthy pregnancies about the importance of waiting at least 39 weeks to give birth.

Prematurity Awareness Month
November is Prematurity Awareness Month® and when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. The awareness month kicks off on November 1 with the release of the 2011 Premature Birth Report Card. November 17 marks World Prematurity Day, and the March of Dimes and our partner organizations worldwide are asking everyone to help spread the world on the serious problem of premature birth.

See also: The emotional toll, Prematurity Campaign partners and alliances