Encouraging Update: This Florida program reduced preterm births by 30%. Could it be a model for other states? | A Sign of Progress

Encouraging Update: This Florida program reduced preterm births by 30%. Could it be a model for other states? | A Sign of Progress

Why this story matters: In a world often dominated by negative headlines, stories like this remind us that meaningful progress is happening every day. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to births, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. One in 10 babies in the U.S. — nearly 374,000 infants — were born preterm in 2023, meaning before 37 weeks of pregnancy. More than 15% were very preterm, meaning they were born before 32 weeks. A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Florida’s rate is slightly higher, at about one in nine babies born preterm. In an average week, 456 of the 4,257 babies born in the state will be preterm, and 75 of those will be very preterm. According to the March of Dimes, preterm birth and low birthweight-related health complications cause 37.5% of infant deaths nationwide. This makes preterm birth the second-leading cause of infant deaths, after birth defects. Preterm babies who survive infancy are susceptible to health…