Spotlight on the March of Dimes Prematurity Collaborative
The March of Dimes Prematurity Collaborative aims to achieve improvements in equity in preterm birth. In this article, we look at the vital work the collaborative undertakes, and the impact of March of Dimes in terms of improving health outcomes for mothers and infants across the United States.
What is the March of Dimes?
For more than 80 years, March of Dimes has supported mothers and babies all over the United States. The overriding aim of March of Dimes is to ensure that every baby has the best start in life.
March of Dimes supports mothers throughout their pregnancies, providing vital support even when things do not go to plan. The organization advocates for policies prioritizing the health of mothers and babies and supports radical improvements to care and treatment. It also carries out pioneering research, identifying solutions to some of the biggest health threats faced by mothers and infants today.
Originally known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who struggled with polio his entire life. The foundation pioneered vaccine research, leading to the complete eradication of polio from the United States. Following this accomplishment, it shifted its focus to addressing other health threats and challenges faced by mothers and babies and achieving significant breakthroughs in pregnancy care, including innovations in newborn screening, folic acid supplementation, and surfactant therapy.
Today, March of Dimes works with medical professionals and the public, supporting lifesaving research, promoting best practices, and providing support and comfort to families in NICUs. March of Dimes advocates for mothers and babies, guiding women through every stage of the pregnancy journey and fighting for the health of the smallest among us every day.
What is the March of Dimes Prematurity Collaborative?
In partnership with 480 member organizations, the Prematurity Collaborative works to achieve demonstrated improvements and equity in preterm birth prevention.
On July 8, 2019, the Prematurity Collaborative staged the Equity in Action event. Presented in partnership with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this one-day training event was designed to engage and convene a wide array of specialist organizations, drawing on their unique expertise to formulate effective solutions and drive improvements in premature birth rates across the United States.
Using shared metrics and strategy, the purpose of the Equity in Action event was to drive collective action, creating equity for mothers and infants in terms of accessing health care and support irrespective of race, ethnicity, geographical location, or socio-economic background.
The Prematurity Collaborative has developed a strategic map to document its efforts and progress. Further, through crowd-sourcing collaborations with more than 700 individual members, as well as partnerships with interdisciplinary experts, the collaborative aims to develop a national scorecard recording its progress and results.
As part of its roadmap to driving improvements in equity in preterm birth, the Prematurity Collaborative has identified its eight key objectives:
1. Identify root causes driving racial and ethnic inequities in birth outcomes
2. Identify strategies and solutions to address those root causes
3. Identify additional research and data needs that present as barriers towards improvements
4. Create a container for our collective action as a national collaborative
5. Root our efforts in results-based action
6. Collectively create tools and resources to advance local and national solutions
7. Develop shared measures to collectively advance solutions
8. Support local efforts via best practice sharing and support
The March of Dimes partners with some of America’s leading health organizations.
Members of the March of Dimes Prematurity Collaborative’s Steering Committee include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of Medicaid Directors, and the National Healthy Start Association.
The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign
Premature birth and associated complications are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Infants who survive premature birth often experience long-term health issues, such as chronic lung disease, intellectual disabilities, blindness and hearing loss, and cerebral palsy.
Around 380,000 infants are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) in the United States every year, representing almost 10 percent of all US births. The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign aims to drive this figure down, ensuring that every mother and baby in America has a fair chance at a healthy, full-term birth.
According to statistics published in the organization’s Premature Birth Report Card, there are currently significant disparities in premature birth rates by race, ethnicity, and geographical location. The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign aims to level the playing field by addressing rising preterm birth rates and persistent health inequities.
