Data reveals environmental factors contribute to thousands of preterm births
ARLINGTON, VA., April 22, 2024 — March of Dimes, the leading organization fighting for the health all moms and babies, today announced the release of the Mom and Baby Action Network’s "Healthy Environment for a Healthy Start: Promoting Environmental Justice for Equitable Birth Outcomes" report, which sheds light on the critical intersection of environmental health and maternal and infant health.
The report, researched and compiled by March of Dimes and the Mom and Baby Action Network (M-BAN), a national action-oriented coalition of cross-sector partners, presents key findings connecting inequitable maternal and infant health outcomes with environmental threats such as air pollution, heat, disasters, cosmetic toxicants, and the fossil fuel lifecycle.
According to the report, 7,000 babies were born preterm in California between 2007 and 2012 as a result of wildfires, and by the end of the century, an additional 42,000 babies could be born preterm every year in the US due to extreme heat. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for environmental action to improve health outcomes for all families.
“Women, girls, and birthing people are inextricably embedded in their environmental context throughout their lifetime,” said Jordana Frost, DrPH, MPH, CPH March of Dimes, Director, Strategic Partnerships at March of Dimes. "It's critical that research on women’s health should also include how exposures to environmental conditions can impact the health of moms and babies. As research expands in this area, we need to prioritize solutions so that every family can have the best possible start.”
The report underscores the belief that everyone should have an equitable opportunity for a healthy pregnancy and birth, to breastfeed, and to raise a family in a thriving and dignified environment. However, it highlights alarming statistics, including the fact that Black and Hispanic people bear a pollution burden of 56% and 63% excess exposure compared to White people, contributing to significant disparities in health outcomes.
The Mom and Baby Action Network calls for advocacy and support for initiatives like the federal Black Maternal Momnibus Health Act, including the Protecting Moms and Babies against Climate Change Act.
March of Dimes’ Mom and Baby Action Network began in 2016 as the National Prematurity Collaborative with a focus on mobilizing partners in the fight against preterm birth. Today the coalition aims to achieve maternal and infant health equity by centering the voices and lived experience of local communities and mobilizing partners, companies, organizations, subject matter experts, policy makers, philanthropists, advocates, and leaders nationally around a common agenda and shared metrics.
To learn more about the report, take action, and access environmental health resources visit IgnitingImpactTogether.org. Join our mission to promote environmental justice and ensure a healthy environment for all families and communities.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Since 1938, we’ve built a successful legacy to support every pregnant person and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Find us on Facebook and follow us with #marchofdimes and @marchofdimes.
About The Mom and Baby Action Network (M-BAN)
The Mom and Baby Action Network (M-BAN) is a national action-oriented coalition of cross-sector partners leading broad changes in policy, research, funding, and systems to address inequities in maternal and infant health. March of Dimes is an active convener and collaborator providing organizational support, including training, resources, and communication platforms to effectively connect partners and accelerate collective action to ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Contact: Sarah Smith
Phone: 202-774-0554
Email: [email protected]