Global Report on Preterm & Stillbirth

I received notification of the Global Report on Preterm & Stillbirth, which was just released. It identifies causes of stillbirth and prematurity as well as interventions that could prevent or improve what study researchers term "under-addressed outcomes." In otherwords, stillbirths, which happen to 3.2 million families each year, according to their report--that little thing no one wants to talk about.

I find it interesting how the researchers quoted in the release admit that far too little attention has been paid to preterm births and stillbirths. I can only hope people pay attention.

Here's a little more about the paper, with link:

"The Global Report on Preterm & Stillbirth, published with the BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth’s latest supplement, identifies known causes and 21 proven interventions that could now be widely used to improve these extremely distressing yet under-addressed outcomes. Additionally, it outlines the urgent need for increased focus and attention on research. This is crucial for understanding the magnitude, causes, and consequences of preterm birth and stillbirth, and for speeding up the development of diagnostics, treatment and prevention strategies.

The report, led by the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS), and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Seattle Children’s, is a collaborative effort undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of maternal, newborn and child health experts from around the globe.

“We can save more lives, but we urgently need more action and resources to better understand the causes of prematurity and stillbirth, and to guide development of cost-effective interventions,” said Dr. Craig E. Rubens, executive director of GAPPS. “For the first time ever, experts from around the world have agreed to a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to solving these global tragedies.”