Recognizing Prematurity Awareness Month 2026

Prematurity Awareness Month may be recognized in November, but premature births persist every day in this country. In 2026, roughly 380,000 babies will be born earlier than expected. And every day, two moms die from pregnancy-related causes in the U.S.

According to the March of Dimes (MoD), approximately 1 in 10 infants are born premature in the U.S. As the preterm birth rate has increased slightly over the past two years to 10.4%, racial and ethnic differences in preterm birth rates remain. So far in 2026, the rate of preterm birth among Black women (15.05%) has been about 50 percent higher than the rate of preterm birth among white or Asian women (9.44% and 9.1% respectively). In addition, premature birth complications are the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. These infants also have increased rates of developmental delays, potentially requiring additional resources during their school years.

Beyond the statistics lies the profound impact of preterm birth on mothers and families. From maternal medical complications that often necessitate early delivery to protect both mother and baby, to the traumatic effects on mental health, premature births exact a heavy toll on every member of an infant’s family.

The direct costs of medical care for prematurity are significant, particularly the hospital expenses associated with stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A report from Sun Life found that among the top fifteen conditions for million-dollar stop-loss claims for commercial payers and self-insured employers, NICU-related costs appeared at positions five and eleven, making specialized support for families experiencing a NICU admission, especially for working caregivers, essential.

Here’s the good news: more of these babies are surviving, even when born extremely prematurely, and are going home sooner. To date, Nash Keen, an Iowa boy born 133 days premature on July 5, 2024, has been certified as the world’s most premature baby to survive.

To ensure mothers, infants, and families achieve the best outcomes possible, health plans and employers must identify strategies and partners with the requisite experience and connections. By partnering with ProgenyHealth, health plans and employers have a real opportunity to make that happen. We invite you to learn more.