Member States Officially Endorse World Prematurity Day as a Global Health Campaign at the 78th World Health Assembly
At the recently concluded 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), a historic and decisive step was taken by the global health community: Member States collectively endorsed World Prematurity Day as an official global health campaign. This endorsement underscores the urgent need for concerted international action, investment, and policy prioritization aimed at preventing preterm births and improving care for millions of babies born too soon or too small worldwide.
Understanding the Scope and Impact of Preterm Births
Preterm birth, medically defined as childbirth occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation, remains the leading cause of death among children under the age of five globally. This persistent public health challenge affects approximately 15 million babies each year worldwide and accounts for nearly one million deaths annually. The burden is particularly heavy in low- and middle-income countries, where access to quality maternal and newborn health services is limited.
Babies born prematurely face a range of critical health challenges. The immediate risks include respiratory distress due to immature lungs, vulnerability to infections because of an underdeveloped immune system, and hypothermia caused by insufficient body fat and poor temperature regulation. Even for survivors, the journey is often fraught with long-term consequences including developmental delays, neurological impairments, chronic health issues such as asthma and vision or hearing loss, and increased risk of non-communicable diseases later in life.
The devastating impact of preterm births extends beyond the infants themselves. Families bear heavy emotional, social, and economic burdens as they navigate the complexities of caring for fragile newborns. Health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings, struggle to provide the specialized care required, which further exacerbates health inequities and limits survival rates.
The WHA Decision: A Comprehensive Call to Action
The official WHA decision document not only acknowledges the scale and gravity of preterm births but also outlines a multifaceted strategy to combat this issue through prevention, care, and support. Central to this strategy is the call for countries to expand access to proven, high-impact interventions.
Among these interventions are specialized newborn care units equipped to manage the complex needs of preterm and low birthweight infants. These units provide essential medical technologies and skilled healthcare professionals capable of delivering respiratory support, temperature regulation, infection control, and nutritional management. In many settings, such facilities are limited or unavailable, and the WHA decision highlights the urgent need to address these gaps.
The decision also emphasizes family-centered care models such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a simple yet highly effective approach that combines exclusive breastfeeding with continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant. KMC has been shown to improve thermal regulation, promote breastfeeding, reduce infections, and foster emotional bonding, all of which contribute to better survival and developmental outcomes for preterm babies.
On the prevention front, the WHA document calls for strengthening antenatal care services. This includes ensuring that pregnant women receive timely and quality health assessments, nutritional support, and management of infections or other conditions that could trigger early labor. Beyond clinical care, improving women’s overall health — including addressing underlying social determinants such as nutrition, education, and access to family planning — is vital to reducing preterm birth rates.
Voices from WHO: Commitment to Maternal and Newborn Health
Dr. Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO, welcomed the decision with great optimism. “Recognizing preterm birth as a crucial issue that increasingly shapes child health and survival globally, WHO is proud to incorporate World Prematurity Day into its official calendar,” she stated. Dr. Banerjee emphasized that the designation would serve as a key platform to educate the public, raise awareness, and advocate for accelerated action to tackle preterm birth as a leading cause of child mortality.
Moreover, the official recognition is expected to catalyze stronger financial, policy, and programmatic support for families affected by prematurity. “It will highlight the need for additional practical support for health systems and affected families alike,” she added, underlining the importance of comprehensive strategies that extend beyond clinical care to social and economic assistance.
WHO’s Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans
WHO’s commitment to improving outcomes for preterm and low birthweight infants is evident through recent initiatives. In 2022, the Organization released updated clinical guidelines to support countries in delivering high-quality care tailored to the unique needs of these vulnerable babies. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on the management of preterm newborns, covering areas such as thermal care, respiratory support, nutrition, infection prevention, and developmental follow-up.
Further guidance specifically focused on scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care is expected later this year. This new guidance aims to provide practical tools for healthcare systems and professionals to integrate KMC more widely and effectively into newborn care practices globally.
Alongside its partners, WHO continues to support countries in implementing comprehensive newborn care packages. These include the establishment and strengthening of special care units for small and sick babies, training of healthcare workers, provision of essential equipment, and integration of newborn care services into national health plans. The aim is to create a continuum of care that starts before birth and extends through the critical neonatal period.
The Role of Advocacy and Civil Society
World Prematurity Day has been observed annually on November 17 for over a decade. The day has been driven largely by grassroots advocacy involving families, civil society organizations, health professionals, and researchers who have tirelessly worked to raise the profile of prematurity as a major global health issue.
The formal recognition of World Prematurity Day by WHO is expected to provide a stronger platform for these advocacy efforts. It will enable coordinated global campaigns to mobilize governments, donors, healthcare providers, and the public to take concrete action. The day offers an opportunity to share stories, disseminate knowledge, and build partnerships that drive progress in maternal and newborn health.
Strategic Alignment with Global Health Agendas
The WHA decision aligns closely with the broader Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030), which aims to ensure every woman, child, and adolescent can survive and thrive. The strategy’s focus on integrated, equitable, and sustainable health services finds a clear reflection in the commitments made to address preterm birth.
Furthermore, this endorsement complements the 2023 WHA Resolution aimed at accelerating progress in maternal, newborn, and child survival. It resonates with the theme for the upcoming 2025 World Health Day — “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures” — which emphasizes the importance of early life interventions in shaping lifelong health and wellbeing.
World Prematurity Day from 2025 Onwards
Starting in 2025, World Prematurity Day will be officially marked each year by WHO, Member States, and partner organizations. This official observance will include coordinated campaigns, events, educational initiatives, and policy dialogues designed to keep prematurity at the forefront of global health agendas.
By formalizing this day, the global health community sends a powerful message that preventing preterm births and improving care for preterm infants is a shared responsibility and an achievable goal. It encourages countries to commit resources, innovate in healthcare delivery, and strengthen data systems to track progress.
The endorsement of World Prematurity Day as an official global health campaign by Member States at the 78th World Health Assembly is a landmark development in the fight against preterm birth. It reflects a growing recognition that saving the lives of millions of vulnerable newborns requires urgent, coordinated, and sustained action worldwide.
Through improved prevention strategies, expanded access to lifesaving care, strengthened health systems, and increased advocacy and funding, there is hope that the tide can be turned against this leading cause of child mortality. World Prematurity Day will serve as a vital annual milestone to renew commitments, celebrate successes, and call for continued efforts to ensure that every baby has the chance for a healthy start and a hopeful future.
