Kansas Prematurity

CoalitionDeveloping a collaborative

statewide effort

Prematurity Snapshot

United States Snapshot

Preterm births – 12.8%* African American – 18.3%* Hispanic – 12.1%

1 in 11 babies are born late preterm (34-36 weeks gestation)Low birth weight – 8.3%

Kansas Snapshot

Preterm births - 11.8%* African American – 16.5%* Hispanic – 11.6%

1 in 12 babies are born late preterm (34-36 weeks gestation)Low birth weight – 5.0%

Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death and a major determinant of illness and disability among infants, including development delays, chronic respiratory problems and vision and hearing impairment.

Coalition Concept

In Fall, 2009 the March of Dimes called for maternal & infant stakeholders to join forces and form a statewide prematurity coalition focused on developing a strategic, collaborative effort that would focus on issues related to premature birth.

Coalition Goals

1) create a strong unified voice in Kansas to help reduce the rate of premature births and improve outcomes for children born prematurely and their families

2) Provide a sustainable setting to network, share best practice information and leverage limited resources

3) Work together to collaboratively address policy, resource and systems change

4) Inform and educate practitioners, decision-makers and the general public about current and emerging prematurity issues

Coalition Structure & MembershipFacilitated by the March of Dimes

Statewide focus including rural and urban communities and the Kansas City bi-state area

Includes stakeholders representing diverse health care settings, public health, government, education and insurers

Representation from key M&I organizations including the KMCHC, PAK, ACOG, AWHONN, ACNM, KAAP, MCHC, Blue Ribbon Panel on Infant Mortality, Newborn Screening Advisory Council, etc.

Next Steps

1) Identify Coalition leadership2) Develop Coalition Steering

Committee3) Fill gaps in stakeholder membership4) Establish meeting calendar

Go to work!

Upcoming Events

October 7, 2010 – Coalition meeting featuring Karla Damus, Senior Research Associate with the March of Dimes Office of the Medical Director (focus- late preterm birth and quality indicator projects aimed at reducing the elective c-section and induction rates )

November 17, 2010 – March of Dimes Annual Prematurity Conference at the Overland Park Marriott