Every year, about 450,000 babies are born in the United States. Although our country’s preterm birth rate has declined by 11 percent over the last 7 years, at 11.4 percent, it is still higher than that of most developed nations.
Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns.
Fighting for Those Who Can’t
The March of Dimes is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality by:
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Supporting important, Nobel Prize-winning research offering hope for preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects
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Fight for health insurance for all pregnant women and children
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Push for a core set of newborn screenings for all babies that could save lives and prevent disability
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Provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care
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Award grants to community programs that promote maternal and infant health with an emphasis on reducing preterm birth, birth defects and infant mortality