Prematurity Awareness Month

The serious problem of premature birth

More than 500,000 babies are born prematurely every year in America. Prematurity birth rates have risen 30% in the past 20 years and is the leading cause of newborn deaths.

The prematurity campaign

In 2003, the Prematurity Campaign was launched to address the crisis and help families have healthy, full-term babies. In 2008, the March of Dimes Board of Trustees extended the Prematurity Campaign globally, and in 2009 the March of Dimes released the first global estimates showing the serious toll of preterm birth worldwide.

The March of Dimes works different channels of influence to reduce premature birth rates. One way is to raise public awareness of the serious issue and to invest in education of moms-to-be and health care providers. We also support medical advances and knowledge. Every year, new promising research studies are funded through our Prematurity Research Initiative. Advocacy efforts have opened the door to more federal funding for prematurity research and education.

The campaign is already showing signs of success, including a recent 3 percent decline in the premature birth rate. With more than 1,400 babies born too soon every day, much work is still to be done.” according to the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes has declared November to be Prematurity Awareness Month which gives people a chance to get involved in the fight to end premature birth. There are many different ways to get involved with the March of Dimes but here are a few of my favorites:

1)  Support families in the NICU financially

2) Spread the word online- add a banner to your email signature

3) Jail & Bail- Event to raise money

I hope that you will consider joining me in raising awareness of premature birth.