World Prematurity Day 2016

Today, along with partners around the world, we recognize World Prematurity Day and the 15 million babies that are born prematurely every year.

Preterm birth affects families in every country, and preventing deaths among babies born too soon is a major challenge for many countries. Complications from prematurity are the leading cause of child mortality globally and account for more than 1 million deaths per year, with 60 percent of those deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. 

Preventing preterm births and treating the complications that arise from them are essential components of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) goal to end preventable child and maternal deaths within a generation. USAID works with partners in 25 priority countries around the world to identify and scale up programs and interventions that are most effective for addressing preterm birth complications.

Learn more

• Learn about USAID’s work on newborn health.
• Read a success story from Tanzania by USAID’s flagship Maternal and Child Survival Program.
• Learn about the Every Preemie: SCALE project to expand premature birth interventions, and read their latest blog on prematurity.
• Join USAIDGH on social media using #WorldPrematurityDay

Photo credit: Fletcher Gong'a, Courtesy of Photoshare