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Return to Learn > Professional Resources and News Releases > News Releases > New Global Initiative Launched to Prevent and Manage Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight Babies (October 7, 2014)



FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE



October 7,
2014






Contact: Richard Parker (PCI)


(202)
662-8929

Download the PDF version here.





New
Global Initiative Launched to Prevent and Manage



Preterm
Birth and Low Birth Weight Babies



24
Countries Identified to Tackle Biggest Cause of Death for Children Under Five






Washington, DC-Every year, about 15
million babies are born prematurely and more than one million babies die due to
complications of preterm birth. A strategic partnership among Project Concern
International (PCI), the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth
(GAPPS), and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has been formed to support
USAID's global effort to reduce newborn mortality by preventing and managing
preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) complications.





"We are excited
to be working on this critical agenda with the U.S. Agency for International Development
and in close partnership with the global maternal and newborn health
community, including national governments, non-governmental organizations,
civil society organizations, and the private sector," said Judith Robb-McCord, Director of Every Preemie Scaling,
Catalyzing, Advocating, Learning, Evidence-driven
(Every Preemie SCALE)
. "Our goal is to ignite change at the
community, national, and global levels to ensure that care for premature and
small babies is prioritized within country-led policies, protocols, and
initiatives." 





Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn deaths in the
first four weeks of life and the leading cause of death among children under five
around the world. At the same time, low birth weight is a major contributor of
newborn deaths globally. The new Every
Preemie 
SCALE
program is a $9 million, five-year award from USAID
to expand evidence-based and
underutilized PTB and LBW interventions in 24 priority countries across Africa
and Asia.





"Solutions to improve the survival of these
vulnerable preterm and LBW babies exist," said Dr. Jim Litch, Director at GAPPS Perinatal Interventions Program. "Every Preemie SCALE will address
critical knowledge gaps about how to implement and scale up proven
interventions. Working with global partners, we will provide evidence on which
PTB and LBW interventions can be successfully implemented at scale to save
lives." 





Every Preemie SCALE will increase the prioritization and
utilization of PTB and LBW interventions within program countries and will lead
change at both the national and local level to strengthen the capacity and
performance of care at health facilities and within communities.





"Many babies
throughout the world are born with limited access to health care. In order to
increase their chances for survival, it is imperative that communities and
families value preterm and LBW babies and that we strengthen the skills of
frontline health workers and ensure they have the necessary equipment and
supplies to provide quality care," said Suzanne Stalls, Vice President,
Department of Global Outreach at ACNM
. "This program offers a unique
opportunity to shine a spotlight on PTB and LBW and the involvement required
from policymakers, clinicians, communities, and families so that these babies
get the care they need."








About PCI: PCI's mission is to prevent disease, improve
community health and promote sustainable development worldwide. Motivated by a
concern for the world's most vulnerable children, families and communities, PCI
envisions a world where abundant resources are shared, communities are able to
provide for the health and well-being of their members, and children and
families can achieve lives of hope, good health and self-sufficiency. For more
information, visit www.pciglobal.org.





About GAPPS: The Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and
Stillbirth (GAPPS), an initiative of Seattle Children's, leads a collaborative,
global effort to increase awareness and accelerate innovative research and
interventions that will improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes
around the world. Join us on Facebook and
Twitter, and learn more at
www.gapps.org.





About ACNM: The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in
midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. ACNM's Department of
Global Outreach (DGO) has more than three decades of experience strengthening
the capacity of midwives and other health care professionals in developing
countries. www.midwife.org/global-outreach.





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