March of Dimes believes that every baby deserves the best possible start. Unfortunately, not all babies get one.
Premature birth and its complications are the largest contributors to infant death in this country. Additionally, pregnancy-related deaths have more than doubled over the past 25 years.
Equally problematic a statistic is that in 2018, women of color have an up to 50 percent higher rate of preterm birth than white women; even with access to prenatal care and health insurance. In the wealthiest country in the world, why are moms, especially black moms, so disproportionately impacted in terms of health? Why are black moms and black babies dying at disproportionately higher rates?
These facts and others, have prompted March of Dimes to take action. As the leader in maternal and infant health, we need to help moms and babies receive the support they need. Above all, this is to ensure they have the best possible start together.
Moms and babies are in the midst of an urgent health crisis — one that we know we can’t take on alone.
Where you come in
In 2017, March of Dimes created the Prematurity Campaign Collaborative. We brought together a group of more than 250 leading maternal and child health organizations and experts from across the country to address premature birth prevention with an emphasis on helping all babies get the opportunity for a healthy start.
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we have also launched a new awareness campaign, “Won’t Stop,” that sheds light on the urgent health crises moms and babies face in America: preterm birth, racial disparities in health and access to care, and maternal mortality.
We’re ready
From grassroots advocacy to policy initiatives, we’re ready to take this initiative to the next level by transitioning from a learning collaborative and into a collective impact model. It’s time for us to talk and share and learn from each other and also move toward collective action to solve the problems of prematurity and inequity.
America can no longer turn a blind eye to the disturbing maternal mortality rate. We need continued advocacy, awareness, funding and innovative practices that address the fundamental medical and social factors to improve the lives of moms and babies. When a society supports every family, the future is brighter for us all. And when communities work together, even the toughest problems can be solved.