Born Too Soon Report Advocacy resources

Key figures

Progress has stalled on addressing preterm birth rates over the past decade

• 1 in 10 babies are born too soon – every two seconds a baby is born before 37 weeks’ gestation - a figure that hasn’t changed significantly in the past decade

Persistent inequalities drive unacceptable preterm survival gaps

• 9 out of 10 extremely preterm babies, those born before 28 weeks gestation, survive in high-income countries while only 1 in 10 survive in low-income countries
• 1 in 10 preterm births are born in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises

The world is poised for progress on preterm births

• The SDGs have included the first ever global targets to reduce newborn mortality, and the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health (2016-2030) added a stillbirth reduction target with most stillbirths born preterm
• Over the past decade new evidence and lifesaving interventions have emerged and many babies are now born in health facilities – setting the stage for a strong response combined with the realization of rights and respect for women and intersectoral action
• Important gains have been achieved in countries by investing in neonatal care units with skilled staffing within district hospitals as part of strengthening primary health care systems and implementing proven and efficient care approaches like respiratory support for preterm newborns and skin-to-skin care (aka immediate Kangaroo Mother Care)