The primary goals of this Symposium are to:
• Enhance prematurity prevention efforts in the US through increased recognition of the importance and efficacy of quality improvement and patient safety programs to reduce prematurity rates
• Generate action plans for stakeholder groups outlining education and interventions to reduce prematurity

(Learning Objectives) At the completion of the Symposium, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the prevalence and theories of etiology of preterm labor and birth
2. Articulate the critical impact of the 20 percent increase over the past two decades in premature births, acknowledging the role of late preterm birth
3. Determine how professional organizations, health care, and regulatory agencies can positively impact prematurity prevention efforts
4. Describe quality improvement action plans and initiatives that can be undertaken by their stakeholder groups to reduce prematurity