Every year, November is recognized as Prematurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about preterm birth, its causes, and its impact on families worldwide. The Arizona Department of Health Services is joining the March of Dimes to bring greater awareness to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Arizona.

Premature birth, which occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation, is more common than many realize. World Prematurity Day is on November 17. This month, families, healthcare professionals, and organizations come together to share stories, provide resources, and advocate for research and healthcare improvements to reduce preterm birth rates. By spreading awareness, supporting affected families, and advocating for research and healthcare improvements, we can make strides toward a future where more babies are born healthy and full-term.

March of Dimes has released an annual March of Dimes Report Card showcasing the latest Arizona state level data providing insight into mom and baby health. Visit March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month website to learn more.

“Every baby deserves the chance for a healthy start, yet, the data continues to show unacceptable health outcomes for far too many families. To save lives and support healthy pregnancies and births, we must address health disparities in Arizona through equitable, science-backed solutions. March of Dimes, a respected leader in maternal and infant health, is committed to research, policy, and programs that expand access to quality healthcare. Some of our key initiatives include our Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® in Arizona and the Low Dose, Big Benefits campaign, empowering families and communities to take proactive steps toward healthy pregnancies.” Shadie Tofigh, Director of Maternal and Infant Health

Here’s what you can do to support World Prematurity Month:

  •  Wear purple to show your support.
  •  If you had a preterm baby or were a preemie yourself, share your baby photo on social using #WorldPrematurityDay.
  •  Join the March of Dimes community group on Facebook to find support, comfort, and friendship.
  • Check out MODCAST, a podcast on the most impactful maternal and infant health research conducted today. Learn more at marchofdimes.org/ourwork/research/podcast

What is ADHS doing to address Pre-term birth

For the third consecutive year, Arizona received a C grade. In 2023, 9.9% of births were preterm (1 in 10 babies). On average, 642 preterm babies are born each month and Arizona ranks 20th of 52 states (including D.C. and P.R.). There has been an 8.8% increase in the preterm birth rate over the last decade. Infants born to Black mothers had a preterm birth rate 1.2x higher than all other babies. That means Arizona should continue to invest in a variety of perinatal and maternal health initiatives to reduce the rate of preterm births such as maternal and neonatal transports to higher levels of care, home visitation in at-risk communities, and initiatives that promote health and wellness for women prior to pregnancy.

ADHS administers and partners on a variety of prevention efforts to increase healthy pregnancies to improve birth outcomes. Here are some programs and resources set-up to support perinatal and maternal health in Arizona.

  • ASH Line 1-800-55-66-222 supports pregnant women and their family members in efforts to stop smoking
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Helpline 1-800-833-4642 – offers information about pregnancy test sites, low-cost providers, breastfeeding support, and other resources.
  • Hear Her Campaign – brings awareness of urgent maternal warning signs during and after pregnancy. Learn more
  • Strong Families AZ – Learn about no cost home visiting programs in your area. Find a Home Visiting Program – Strong Families AZ
  • Strong Families AZ Helpline: 602-345-0471 The helpline provides health and wellness resources and referrals for pregnant people and families with children. The Strong Families AZ Helpline is available by phone, text, and email —        [email protected]
  • Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-9 HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746)
  • The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to health and social services.  Find out if you are eligible by calling 1-800-252-5942
  • AZ Health Zone promotes healthy food choices and physically active lifestyles, and offers free healthy recipes.

As we observe Prematurity Awareness Month this November, it’s clear that the fight to reduce preterm birth and improve maternal and infant health requires the involvement of all of us—families, healthcare professionals, and communities. The statistics may be alarming, but through awareness, advocacy, and support, we can make a difference. By joining organizations like March of Dimes and supporting initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities, we are taking important steps toward healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes for all families.

Whether you wear purple to show your support, share your story, or simply take a moment to learn more, your actions can help raise awareness and drive change. Let’s continue to push for solutions that ensure every baby gets the healthiest start in life and that no family faces the challenges of preterm birth alone. Together, we can work toward a future where preterm births are a thing of the past, and all babies are given the full, healthy start they deserve.