Why March of Dimes Needs Our Support to Fight Preterm Births
March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that focuses primarily on maternal and neonatal care. It is also the only charity in the United States to cure the disease it was founded to tackle when polio was eradicated in the 1950s due to the development of the polio vaccine.
There are many ways the organization makes an impact in these areas, including supporting mothers during pregnancy, advocating for policies that prioritize the health of mothers and babies, conducting pioneering research to find solutions to health threats for moms and babies, and educating medical professionals and the public about best practices.
In its more than 80 years of existence, March of Dimes has helped millions of babies and offered its services to families from all backgrounds and demographics.
March of Dimes History
March of Dimes was founded on January 3, 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The organization was set up in response to the polio epidemics in the United States, which had incapacitated and killed thousands in the decades prior. In 1916, for example, the first large outbreak occurred, crippling 27,000 and killing 6,000 nationwide. Roosevelt himself was diagnosed with polio in 1921 and was unable to walk unaided for the rest of his life.
The name “March of Dimes” came from Eddie Cantor, a stage and screen star, who led a fundraising effort in late January 1938 that sold lapel pins for 10 cents each and raised $85,000 for Roosevelt’s new foundation. The name was a play on a popular radio newsreel show called The March of Time.
In 1955, Jonas Salk’s vaccine for polio was introduced and the incidence of polio began to plummet rapidly. In 1958, the organization simplified its name to “National Foundation” after launching its Expanded Program to include a wider range of public health issues, including birth defects, viral diseases, and arthritis.
In the next decades, the foundation’s mission focused more and more on the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. This prompted it to rebrand as the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation in 1976. In the early 2000s, March of Dimes expanded its mission to include reducing the rate of premature birth, both in the United States and globally.
Premature Birth Facts and Figures
According to statistics provided by the latest March of Dimes report, there are 3,855,500 babies born in the United States every year, of which 382,726 are born prematurely. Premature or preterm birth refers to birth before the 37th week of pregnancy. Complications stemming from premature birth are the most significant contributors to infant death in the U.S. In addition, preterm birth rates have increased over the past four years.
While the overall average preterm birth rate is around 10 percent, there are racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth rates. Among black women, for instance, the preterm birth rate is 13.6 percent; among American Indian and Alaska Native women, the preterm birth rate is 11.3 percent.
March of Dimes has also conducted research on key social determinants of health that can have a impact on preterm birth rates and mothers’ and babies’ health. According to the report, 11.7 percent of women aged 15-44 in the United States are uninsured, 15 percent receive inadequate prenatal care, and 15.7 percent of women live in poverty. Meanwhile, 5 million women in the United States live in maternity care deserts, where access to adequate maternity care is either in short supply or nonexistent.
The financial effects of preterm birth are also alarming. It is estimated that the average cost of a preterm birth in the US is $65,000, including medical care, delivery costs, early intervention services, special education services, and lost productivity. The overall societal cost of preterm birth stands at an estimated $26.2 billion.
Risk Factors for Preterm Birth
Preterm birth typically occurs due to several factors, rather than just one cause; a history of preterm births, certain uterine or cervical problems, and multiple gestations are among the most significant risk factors. March of Dimes has, through its research, identified other factors that can contribute to preterm birth:
Birth spacing. This refers to the time between a birth and the woman’s next pregnancy. Birth spacing of less than 18 months can increase the risk of a preterm birth. Around one-third of women in the US have a birth spacing of fewer than 18 months.
Obesity. Obesity is a growing concern in the United States, with 2018 figures reporting that 30.5 percent of women of childbearing age are obese. While obesity does not have a direct link to preterm birth, the medical issues surrounding obesity, like hypertension and diabetes, can contribute.
Maternal Age. Based on statistics collected between 2015-17, women over the age of 40 were at higher risk of preterm births (14.5%), followed by women under the age of 20 (10.2%). Women aged 30-39 were around the overall average of 10.1%, while women between 20-29 were under the average at 9.2%.
Multiple Births. According to the latest figures from 2017, 8.1 percent of singleton births were preterm, while 60.6 of multiple births (twins, triplets, or other multiples) were preterm.
Health Insurance Coverage. As previously explained, 11.7 percent of women in the US are uninsured. The health care before, during, and after a pregnancy provided by insurance coverage can help identify and manage preterm birth risk factors.
Smoking. Approximately 16.7 percent of women of childbearing age smoke in the United States. Smoking has several negative effects on health, and it is a proven factor contributing to preterm births.
March of Dimes’ Impact in the US and Globally
Across the United States, March of Dimes has dedicated chapters, staff, and volunteers in all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. These chapters partner with local agencies, organizations, hospitals, and professional agencies to deliver the best resources, support, and strategies to help mothers and babies.
For instance, “Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait” is a nationwide initiative by March of Dimes that includes an educational and awareness campaign, hospital-based improvement programs, and intensive community programs at 25 sites across the nation. The goal is to reduce the rate of early, elective (medically unnecessary) labor induction and cesarean section births.
On the international front, March of Dimes established an office of Global Programs in 1998 and has since provided its skills, research, and resources, to programs in China, Lebanon, Philippines, Brazil, Malawi, and Uganda. March of Dimes also works closely with major international organizations including UNICEF, WHO, PAHO, and CDC.
Get Involved with March of Dimes
There are many ways people and organizations can contribute to March of Dimes. For example, March for Babies, an annual charitable walking event, has been around since 1970 and attracts more than 1 million people every year.
There are also many other volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and donation options for anyone who wants to help. See the organization’s website for details.
