Today, we recognise World Prematurity Day, an opportunity to highlight the challenges and urgency surrounding premature births. Each year, over 13 million babies are born too soon, making prematurity the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The numbers are staggering: every 2 seconds, a baby is born prematurely, and every 40 seconds, one of these babies loses their life.
This survival gap is unacceptable. In high-income countries, 9 in 10 extremely preterm babies survive. In contrast, in low-income countries, only 1 in 10 survive. Nearly all these deaths are preventable. This disparity underscores the critical need for action on a global scale.
Progress Is Happening, But We Need to Act Faster
While advancements in neonatal care have been made, they are not enough to close the survival gap. The Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN) urges everyone to take action. By working together, we can bridge the gap and ensure that every newborn, everywhere, counts.
The recently published Born Too Soon Report provides a roadmap for addressing these disparities. It highlights practical steps that can be taken to prevent premature births and improve outcomes for preterm babies worldwide. We encourage everyone to read this report and join the global effort to save lives.
What Can You Do?
This World Prematurity Day, we call on individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to:
Advocate for equitable access to quality healthcare for all newborns.
Support initiatives that prioritise neonatal care in low-income settings.
Raise awareness about prematurity and the preventable deaths it causes.
By taking these steps, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of newborns and their families.
Together, We Can Save Lives
Happy World Prematurity Day from the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN).
Let’s work together to ensure every newborn has a chance to thrive, no matter where they are born.
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