Prematurity is the No. 1 killer of newborn infants in the United States. Many premature babies who survive — even those born a few weeks early — have long-term serious problems. About one in eight babies born in the U.S. today is born preterm.

The Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C. partners with the March of Dimes and the Kentucky Department for Public Health on Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait^SM, a three-year prematurity prevention initiative to demonstrate a reduction in preventable preterm births in targeted geographies in Kentucky.

Strengthening Delivery of Care
Six hospitals representing diverse regions — three intervention sites and three comparison sites — are participating in the program. To prevent one-baby preterm births, teams of health care providers work with local health departments to promote evidence-based interventions, which include screening and referral for treatable, preventable conditions; consistent care before, during and between pregnancies; professional education; and consumer awareness campaigns to share knowledge about the long-term effects of preterm birth and how to prevent it.

Preterm Birth Can Cause Medical Problems
Preterm birth (37 weeks of gestation or fewer) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality in the U.S. It is the No. 1 obstetrical challenge, and the primary cause of infant and childhood morbidity and neuro-developmental problems, accounting for 70 percent of deaths in the perinatal period. Other health problems associated with preterm babies include respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral palsy, blindness, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, jaundice and anemia. 

Late preterm birth (34-37 weeks) is on the rise in the U.S. There is new evidence that babies born even a few weeks early require more acute medical and nursing care, longer hospital stays and more readmissions than babies born at full term.