| For reasons largely unknown, one in 10 babies in Oregon is born too soon. Because premtaure birth is a serious, common and costly problem. Governor Kulongoski has declared November as Prematurity Awareness Month. The March of Dimes is working to increase education and research to the issues of premature birth.
Prematurity takes an enormous toll on families and costs society billions of dollars. It is the leading cause of newborn death, and a major cause of serious lifelong health problems. Premature birth rates are on the rise, up 18 percent in Oregon since 1992.
During the month of November, the March of Dimes is launching a new website, http://www.clicktosavebabies.org/, where families of premature babies can get information and emotional support, and pregnant women can learn the signs and symptoms of pre-term labor. Clicktosavebabies.org is a component of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, a five-year, $75 million effort to address the growing problem of premature birth. |
