Help set the record straight and a terrible injustice!
Michael Moyers: "On Monday, November 16th I will be turning myself in to the authorities to stand up against my good reputation and a growing threat here in our country and around the world.
1 in 8 babies is born to soon, and often too small. These tiniest babies struggle to survive, and too often many don’t.
• An estimated 28 percent of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are due to preterm birth.
• Approximately 12.9 million babies are born too soon every year, a global prevalence of preterm birth of 9.6 percent.
The regional toll of preterm birth is particularly heavy for Africa and Asia where over 85 percent of all preterm births occur. The highest rate of preterm birth by UN region according to the data available is in Africa; followed by (in descending order) North America (Canada and the United States combined); Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Oceania (Australia and New Zealand); and Europe.
Wherever trend data are available, rates of preterm birth are increasing. For example, the rate of preterm birth in the United States has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years. The increase in the rate of late preterm births (between 34 and 36 weeks gestation) accounts for most of the increase. Whether the rate of preterm birth is also increasing in low- and middleincome countries remains unknown.
What the March of dimes is doing... Research into stress and other factors that may trigger preterm labor.
Programs to educate pregnant women to recognize the warning signs of preterm labor.
Tools to help health care providers detect women who may be at risk for preterm labor.
