BALTIMORE, MD (November 12, 2008) – Today has been declared “Prematurity Awareness Day” by the March of Dimes, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is “improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality”, said the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).   

On the heels of an October forum where health care leaders met to study ways to cut Maryland’s infant mortality rate, DHMH officials are actively working to stem the number of premature births in the state. 

“Premature infants face significantly higher risk of death or illness,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers.  “It is devastating for parents to lose a newborn because of problems related to premature birth; and even for some infants who survive, it can lead to a lifetime of disabilities.  Clearly, this is unacceptable because in many cases it is preventable.” 

The Babies Born Healthy Initiative, launched by DHMH more than two years ago, is actively addressing prematurity and infant mortality on many fronts. 

This broad public health initiative addresses family, community and system-wide factors associated with prematurity and poor pregnancy outcomes. Activities include increasing access to family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies.  Babies Born Healthy programs also address women’s health, both before and during pregnancies.  Such broad-reaching programs are underway in Baltimore City, Prince George’s County and several other jurisdictions.  

Babies Born Healthy also focuses on quality improvement. Collaborative efforts are underway to advance patient safety for mothers and infants in Maryland hospitals, to establish standards for obstetrical and neonatal care in the state, and to increase access to high-risk pregnancy consultation through a partnership with the state’s academic medical institutions. In addition, a state of the art, Web-based electronic birth certificate will be launched in January.  The new birth certificate will provide more information that will help health professionals direct new efforts to prevent prematurity. 

Access to health insurance is another important component used to address premature birth and infant mortality.  From 2005 to 2007, on average 18 percent of women of childbearing age in Maryland were uninsured.  The Governor’s recent Medicaid expansion in the state will allow more women to be enrolled in health care coverage prior to pregnancy. These women can then address health issues that may contribute to premature birth before pregnancy and access prenatal care early. This type of broad, multifaceted approach and the continued leadership from the state are needed to tackle a problem as complex as prematurity and infant mortality. 

Roughly one out of every eight babies born in Maryland is born too early.  Racial disparities persist in premature birth, as they do in infant mortality.  The state’s prematurity rate of 13.3 percent is slightly higher than the national average of 12.7 percent, according to 2005 data, which is the latest available national data.  While the percentage of premature births has increased steadily in the United States and Maryland for the past several decades, Maryland’s increase is only half that seen nationally since 2000.  

“Hopefully, this is a sign that we are beginning to turn the corner on prematurity in the state,” Secretary Colmers said.  “In 2000, our national ranking was 42 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia; by 2005, it improved to 35.  Yet again, it is abundantly clear that more work needs to be done.” 

In recognition of the day, The March of Dimes released a “Prematurity Report Card” for the nation and each state.  Maryland and 19 other states received a failing grade. No state received an “A”, only one state (Vermont) received a “B,” and 23 states and the U.S. overall received a “D.”