As November focuses on prematurity, the Arizona Department of Health Services is teaming up with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about preterm births in the state. Prematurity Awareness Month highlights the causes and impacts of early birth, with preterm babies, born before 37 weeks, being a growing concern. Last Saturday, advocates marked World Prematurity Day, calling for more research and healthcare improvements to reduce early births.
Arizona faces challenges with premature births, earning a C grade for the third year in a row, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The preterm birth rate among infants born to Black mothers is 1.2 times higher than for other babies, highlighting significant disparities. The March of Dimes supports the cause with initiatives like the Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® in Arizona. "Every baby deserves the chance for a healthy start, yet, the data continues to show unacceptable health outcomes for far too many families," said Shadie Tofigh, Director of Maternal and Infant Health, calling for equitable healthcare solutions.
The Arizona Department of Health Services supports various prevention efforts to improve outcomes for mothers and infants. Resources like the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Helpline and Strong Families AZ Helpline provide support for pregnancy and post-natal challenges. Programs such as the ASH Line and WIC Program promote the health of expectant and new mothers. Community members are encouraged to show support by wearing purple or sharing their experiences with the hashtag #WorldPrematurityDay.
