Milwaukee Partners Gathering at Quality of Life Center throughout the Month for, “Breaking the Cycle: Protecting Our Legacy” Events
November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and awareness is necessary because the United States as a whole is still ranked 34 out of 38 developed countries for infant mortality rates, and the premature birth rate in America has grown by 36% over the past 25 years.
Wisconsin places 19th among the states, and while we received a “B”rating from the March of Dimes for improving premature birth and infant mortality rates, the percentage of premature births (before 37 weeks of gestation) is still high – a whopping 10.9% of births. Every week in Wisconsin, 149 babies are born prematurely, with 24 born very preterm (before 32 weeks of gestation). In addition, recent statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services remind us that racial disparities in preterm birth and infant mortality are much too high.
Premature birth is a public health problem, and its effects include:
1. Cost: Preterm births cost the family because of increased hospitalization and long-term health effects, and it costs society more than $26 billion a year. This financial burden is in addition to the extreme emotional cost associated with preterm birth or infant death.
2. Health of Mother: Having a premature birth makes a mother less likely to carry subsequent pregnancies to term; in addition, many women who experience the symptoms of premature labor do not recognize the signs and therefore are at increased risk of complications.
3. Infant Death: Premature birth is the leading cause of infant mortality. Preterm birth causes 21.3% of Wisconsin infant deaths.
4. Long-Term Health of Child: While not found in all cases of premature birth, babies born prematurely are likely to experience a multitude of health problems. Some are evident early, such as cerebral palsy. Later health problems that have been attributed to premature birth include a spectrum of cognitive problems and developmental delays, vision/hearing impairments, chronic respiratory problems (including asthma), and pre-diabetes. In addition, children born prematurely are more likely to experience a premature birth of their own later on in life.
5. Racial & Ethnic Disparities: In Wisconsin, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics all experience preterm birth more regularly and have higher rates of infant mortality than Whites. For instance, preterm births cause approximately 30% of African American infant deaths, compared with 18% of Caucasian infant deaths.
Racial disparities in health care outcomes are especially evident in the city of Milwaukee. The mortality rate for African American infants in Milwaukee would place it after 70 countries if examined with a global perspective.
The Quality of Life Center in Milwaukee is using the month of November to raise awareness through three events in their “Breaking the Cycle: Protecting Our Legacy” series. To attend, please RSVP via their website.
Breaking the Cycle: Protecting Our Legacy — Defining the Problem
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 between 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Screening of documentary, When the Bough Breaks
Breaking the Cycle: Protecting Our Legacy — Identifying Solutions
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012 between 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Screening of Women 2 Women Video and panel discussion with community experts
Breaking the Cycle: Protecting Our Legacy — Mobilizing Action
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 between 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Guest speakers include: Dr. Magda Peck, Dean, Joseph Zilber School of Public Health, UWM;
Senator Lena Taylor; and Alderwoman Milele Coggs
Nikki Smith
