In spite of several initiatives over the past six years to prevent early births, defined as a birth that takes place more than three weeks before a due date, a recent report by the March of Dimes shows more work is needed in Louisiana.
“The rate of early births in Louisiana is unacceptable,” said Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. “While there is no single cause for this, historic inequity, poor health before, during and after pregnancy, stress and poverty all contribute to high numbers of early births. We are partnering with hospitals, providers and the March of Dimes to build on our Medicaid expansion and get pregnant women the care and support they need so they give birth to healthier babies.”
“We still have a long way to go to reduce preterm births in Louisiana,” Gee said. “But we are confident that by continuing to work together with health care providers, community leaders and individual Louisiana residents, we can change the future of our children’s health.”