Oral

Each year more than 540,000 babies (1:8) are born too soon in the United States, and about 13 million babies are born prematurely, worldwide. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death and a major cause of infant mortality in this country. Babies who survive an early birth face serious risks of lifelong health problems, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss and other chronic conditions. In addition, preterm birth rates reflect some of the most persistent problems this country faces in health disparities. In 2008 the preterm birth rates are highest for black infants (17.5%), compared to Native Americans (13.6%), Hispanics/Latinos (12.1%), whites (11.1%) and Asians (10.7%) (based on the preliminary data from NCHS). This panel will discuss the growing public health problem of preterm birth, the influence of social determinants that may cause preterm births and adverse neonatal outcomes after preterm birth. The panel will share its analysis of the problem drawing from data of social epidemiology, as well as analysis of the social determinants of preterm birth and its outcomes. The panel will also examine what is known about interventions to affect health equity and prevent preterm birth.

Session Objectives: Using social science and epidemiological methods, analyze the problem and causes of preterm birth and the implications of the problem on social justice Discuss the influence of psychosocial factors on preterm birth and neonatal outcomes after preterm birth Assess selected efforts to prevent preterm birth and promote health equity that use a public health approach taking into consideration the social, behavioral, and environmental as well as biological/medical determinants

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)