Overview
- Hospitals, health agencies and parent groups held events and reunions worldwide on Nov. 17, with programs ranging from trainings in Spain to a closing ceremony for Prematurity Week at Argentina’s Hospital Regional.
- Health experts reiterated that about 15 million babies are born preterm each year and roughly one million die from complications, while Argentina reported 9.5% of births were preterm in 2023.
- Clinicians emphasized evidence-based practices such as skin-to-skin kangaroo care, breastfeeding support and psychological counseling alongside intensive therapies including oxygen, surfactant and mechanical ventilation.
- Professional groups highlighted workforce gaps in neonatal follow-up—such as speech therapy for feeding and swallowing—calling for more staff and resources to sustain care after discharge.
- Advocates and clinicians stressed that many deaths are preventable with quality prenatal care, safe delivery, well-equipped neonatal units and coordinated, family-centered follow-up to address persistent inequities.