The Australian Government will provide almost $7 million to the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance and Women’s Healthcare Australasia so they can continue their great work implementing the Every Week Counts National Preterm Birth Prevention program.
Today’s release of the interim evaluation report into the program reveals it has delivered on its goals and reached more than half of Australian public births in its first phase.
The report also shows the program has achieved meaningful reductions in early births, with no adverse safety impacts.
Preterm birth is the single greatest cause of death in young children worldwide and one of the major causes of lifelong disability such as cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness and behavioural and learning problems.
This program is a world-first initiative. It aims to increase the number of babies reaching full term through evidence-based intervention and managing known risks.
More than 40 maternity services are participating in the program across the country – including in First Nations communities – to deliver culturally safe care and education programs to health professionals and pregnant women.
Almost 24,000 babies in Australia were born preterm in 2023, with the rate of preterm birth in First Nations mothers almost double that of non-First Nations mothers.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“Every parent wants the best possible start for their baby, and the Preterm Birth Prevention program is helping more families' welcome healthy babies home safely and with confidence.
“By investing in this world-leading program, our government is supporting the knowledge and skills of health professionals to help deliver more babies at term.
“The interim report shows the value of giving women access to the right care and support during pregnancy.
“This is especially important for First Nations women. Working with First Nations communities to enable them to identify and manage risks, through culturally safe and community-based care, is an important step towards Closing the Gap.”