Jennifer Sedlmeyer-Johansen’s Post

November is #PrematurityAwarenessMonth! The March of Dimes writes: Each year in the US, 1 in 10 babies is born preterm. We all have a role to play in solving the prematurity crisis in the US. It’s possible for women to have healthy pregnancies, but the US remains among the most dangerous developed nations to give birth. The US preterm birth rate stands at a 15-year high, with 1 in 10 babies born too soon each year. Black and Native American women are 62% more likely to give birth preterm. Learn more about the US maternal and infant health crisis, how you can raise awareness this month, and take action for the health of moms and babies: https://lnkd.in/gQ5b26Pr

Yesterday was World Prematurity Day, and all of November is marked as Prematurity Awareness Month. March of Dimes is getting as loud as possible about the maternal and infant health crisis, this month and always. These statistics represent families who are facing unimaginable heartache, fear, and loss. We all have a role to play in solving the prematurity crisis in the US. You can help March of Dimes create the change that all moms and babies deserve. ·    The US preterm birth rate stands at a 15-year high, with 1 in 10 babies born too soon each year. Black and Native American women are 62% more likely to give birth preterm. ·    This year alone, over 380,500 babies will be born too soon. ·    For more insight and inspiration to join us, view the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card here: https://lnkd.in/eFx-egKU

The 2024 March of Dimes Report Card is here, and for the third year in a row, the U.S. has received a D+ for its preterm birth grade. View the full March of Dimes Report: https://bit.ly/3YPvMTO. Preterm birth is a leading cause of death in infants in the U.S. In 2023, over 370,000 U.S. births were preterm, accounting for 10.4% of all births in the country. The rate of preterm birth is highest for Black infants (14.7%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (12.4%), Hispanics (10.1%), Whites (9.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (9.4%). In recognition of National Prematurity Awareness Month, watch a webinar from NICHQ about reducing the rates of preterm birth https://bit.ly/4fsnOXH, or read a helpful blog with strategies for health professionals to coordinate systems of care and prevent preterm birth https://bit.ly/3ARIeuc. #PrematurityAwarenessMonth #WorldPrematurityDay #ChildHealth #MaternalHealth

Did you know that Black women are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications and Black babies are 2x as likely to die before their first birthday? Krystal Anderson, Christine Fields, Torie Bowie, April Valentine, Kira Dixon Johnson, Chaniece Wallace, Arika Trim, Sha-Asia Washington, Jasmine Patton, Alona White, Nikita Washington, Shamony Gibson and Shalon Irving. These are just some of the Black women who have died related to pregnancy. Their stories made the news, most do not. While it is easy to focus on numbers, as we address the maternal health crisis in our country, we should keep the people front and center. That includes these women, their families and all that are touched by the ripple effects of maternal mortality. There are disparities that need to be addressed and changes that need to be a priority. While we fight for the health of all moms and babies, March of Dimes is a proud sponsor of Black Maternal Health Week, a time to raise awareness, and advocate for Black women, pregnant people and moms. We must increase access to and coverage of comprehensive high-quality maternal health services; ensure those giving birth are heard and are decision makers in accountable systems of care; advance data collection, standardization, transparency, research, and analysis; expand and diversify the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce; and strengthen economic and social supports for people before, during, and after pregnancy. To support these efforts please visit: https://lnkd.in/evTqdYHY

The latest March of Dimes Report Card presents a stark reality we can no longer ignore: The U.S., the world’s richest country, has received a D+ grade in maternal and infant health for the third consecutive year. Key findings that demand immediate action: - 1 in 10 babies (370,000) are born preterm - The infant mortality rate increased for the first time in two decades - Only 4 states and DC have all policies in place to support midwives - Only 16 states meet the 2030 target for infant mortality These aren't just statistics – they represent real families facing life-altering challenges. Traditional healthcare approaches alone aren't solving this crisis because maternal health is fundamentally a #social issue, not just a medical one. This is why we at FC Mother are pioneering a revolutionary community-based approach: transforming football clubs into public health vehicles for maternal care. With 5 billion fans and 4,500 clubs worldwide, football provides the world's largest untapped social infrastructure to support mothers. Our model doesn't just treat symptoms – it builds comprehensive support networks around mothers, leveraging football's community power to deliver social, emotional, and healthcare support where it's needed most. The time for incremental change has passed. Join us in reimagining maternal care through the power of community and sport - what we call Healing Sports (H-Sports). Together, we can write a new chapter in maternal health – one where all mothers get the support they deserve as our true MVPs. Check out the full report at: https://lnkd.in/e4u6z8-3 #MaternalHealth #Innovation #PublicHealth #Football #HSports #FCMotherLeague

As we prepare to vote, may I remind you all that November is Prematurity Awareness Month. As micropreemies born at 27 weeks, my twin and I weighed just over 1lb at birth. We survived because of quality, accessible healthcare, miracles of modern medicine and intensive early intervention, strong familial support, white privilege and generational wealth. According to March of Dimes there were 380,548 preterm births in the US in 2022, a disproportionate number being born to families of color. 35.8% of infant deaths are preterm related. As a child maltreatment professional I can also confirm that infancy and toddlerhood, ages 0-5, represent the most significant risk for child abuse and neglect, especially for disabled children (which may be a result of prematurity or birth trauma). Only one candidate is threatening the lives of people who give birth, their offspring, and as a result, our families and our communities. The economic burden of preterm birth is $25.2 billion (Waitzman, Jalali & Grosse, 2016). The economic burden of child maltreatment is nearly $2 trillion (Peterson, Florence & Klevens, 2018). As a society, saving the lives of our children and citizens should be a number priority. It’s an investment worth fighting for. #NICUsurvivor Once Upon A Preemie Inc

This year's March of Dimes Report Card delivers a crucial analysis of maternal and infant health across Oklahoma. Our state's D grade reflects a 10.8% preterm rate, a slight improvement from last year's F grade of 11.1%. However, we cannot ignore the fact that too many babies are arriving too soon, jeopardizing their health and future. It is imperative that we prioritize maternal health and advocate strongly for policies that enhance care for both mothers and their babies! https://ow.ly/ZBjA50Ub1Nm

📊 The March of Dimes 2024 Report Card is out, and the results are a critical call to action for all of us. Texas has received a D grade, highlighting persistent disparities in maternal and infant health. We must prioritize solutions that address access to care, social determinants of health, and support for all families. 💡 Take a look at the full report to understand the data driving the urgent need for change in our state. Let’s work together to advocate for healthier moms and babies in Texas! 👉 Check out the report here: https://buff.ly/48S6tFc #MaternalHealth #InfantHealth

As a parent, this is painful to read 💔As a benefits consultant, I’m going to focus on what we can control and where we can help…identify healthcare disparities and solutions to address pre-existing chronic conditions, unhealthy weight, pre-pregnancy hypertension, and poor access to care…just some, not all, of the factors that can lead to complications during birth.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗖+ 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘀 The March of Dimes 2024 Report Card reveals that the country’s maternal and infant health crisis is worsening, with the U.S. earning a D+ for preterm birth rates for the third year in a row with a preterm birth rate of 10.7%. In New Jersey, the preterm birth rate is 9.3%, earning a C+. While the infant mortality rate in NJ (3.6) is lower than the national average (5.6), the infant mortality rate among babies born to Black people is 2.4x the state rate. Factors like socioeconomic status and healthcare access continue to contribute to these alarming disparities. To combat this growing crisis, the Burke Foundation is investing in New Jersey’s community doula workforce in the NJ counties with the highest preterm birth rates with our partners The Children's Home Society of NJ through the AMAR Community Doula program. The program’s impressive results underscore the difference that community doulas can make in supporting women in their pregnancy journeys with impressive outcomes: ▪️ 67.8% fewer preterm births ▪️ 88.2% fewer low birthweight babies ▪️ 54% fewer low-risk C-sections Our partner Lisa Asare, President & CEO of NJ’s Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority said it best, “The doula program is more than just a maternal health solution. They are truly the custodians: they have the expertise, and the competency. I think that has been an “ah hah” moment for me – it’s more than addressing maternal and infant health. It truly is about lifting up a community.” Learn more about the Burke Foundation’s community doula initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/eM9YqydX Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/e4u6z8-3 #MaternalHealth #InfantHealth #MarchOfDimes #PretermBirth #BlackMaternalHealth