Overview
- About 15 million babies are born preterm each year and roughly one million die from complications, according to the World Health Organization.
- March of Dimes again graded the United States D+ for maternal and infant health, citing 2024 data of about 380,000 preterm births and widening racial disparities, with calls for Medicaid expansion and mobile maternal–child health services.
- National snapshots underscore the scale: Argentina reported 9.5% of births preterm in 2023, Peru estimates around 40,000 premature births annually, and Spain records about 30,000 a year.
- Hospitals marked the day with awareness events and family reunions, including Vigo’s Álvaro Cunqueiro workshops and honors, Ourense parent support activities with Agaprem, and Cusco’s new “Pasillo de la Esperanza” celebrating NICU graduates.
- Clinicians and parent groups pressed for more specialized neonatal staff and early-intervention services, with Spanish logopedists urging additional posts to support feeding, development, and continuity of care after discharge.