Time to act for babies #BornTooSoon

Every year on November 17^th, countries around the world mark World Prematurity Day. Worldwide, more than 1 in 10 babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation), making it a truly universal issue that touches everyone – directly or indirectly. Complications from preterm birth remain the leading cause of death for children under 5, and at the top of Global Burden of Disease in low and high-income countries. 

Preterm babies can survive, thrive and change the world – but many aren’t given that chance. A preterm baby’s survival and life-long health depends to a great extent on where they are born. These inequities are stark and deadly – more than 90% of extremely preterm babies (less than 28 weeks) born in low-income countries die within the first few days of life, yet less than 10% of extremely preterm babies die in high-income settings.

Ten years ago, an extensive coalition of partners launched  Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. A decade on, there is much progress to celebrate; however, much remains to be achieved to prevent deaths, improve health outcomes, and support survivors and their families. Contemporary challenges – including conflict, climate change, COVID-19, and the cost-of-living crisis – threaten to slow and even reverse progress. At the same time, there is new data and evidence to draw upon, important country learnings, and unifying targets (through the Every Newborn Action Plan ( ENAP) and Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) that all provide hope and momentum.

At this critical juncture, partners are once again coming together to develop a ‘decade’ edition of Born Too Soon to provide a clear pathway for advocacy action on preterm birth in the years ahead. The report will include updated global estimates on preterm birth and low-birthweight, will spotlight successful strategies implemented by countries over the past decade – demonstrating that progress is possible, and will highlight what needs to be done to reduce the unacceptable burden of preterm birth worldwide. The report will be launched at the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference in Cape Town in May 2023.

Join us in a year of action for babies #BornTooSoon. Over 60 organizations from 33 countries are already involved in these efforts. If you would like to learn more and get involved in these efforts, please reach out to pmnch@who.int.

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10 years since the Born Too Soon report, what has changed?	10 ans après le rapport ‘Born Too Soon’, qu'est-ce qui a changé ?	10 años desde el informe ‘Born Too Soon’, ¿qué ha cambiado?