Lancet paper shows world-first Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Program is working!!!
New data has shown that a world-first initiative to reduce preterm and early term births in Australia has led to a significant decrease in rates of potentially harmful early birth, and improved pregnancy outcomes for women across the country.
Recently published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, the study presents detailed outcomes from a six-year preterm birth prevention program first introduced in mid-2018.
Findings have shown that:
From 2018-2021, through activities of the Alliance, rates of preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) were reduced by approximately 8%. Preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disability in children under the age of 5 worldwide.
From 2021-2024, through the expansion of the Every Week Counts National Preterm Birth Prevention Program, an approximate 10% reduction in the early term ages was achieved (37-39 weeks – a period strongly associated with increased risks of learning and behavioural problems).
“We have shown that using current knowledge we have lowered the rate of harmful early birth by 7-10% which represents approximately 4000 fewer cases of early birth each year across Australia since the program was launched,” Alliance Chair, Professor John Newnham explains.
Community Conversation: Pregnancy perspectives of bacterial infections, screening, and treatment
The University of Western Australia’s perinatal research team wants to hear from mothers - prospective, expecting and current about what they know about bacterial infections and screening during pregnancy. Your experiences and insights will help to shape this research to improve understanding and prevention of infection in early life. This Community Conversation will be exploring understanding, experiences and perspectives on bacterial infection, screening and preventative treatments during pregnancy to gain perspectives, insights and experiences around Group B Streptococcus (GBS), screening and prevention and treatment.
Attendees will be offered an $80 honorarium (gift card) and light refreshments will be provided on the night.
WE SEEK:
Mothers - prospective, expecting and/or current
A mother who has had an infection during pregnancy or who has had a baby with an infection while you were pregnant (not a requirement to attend)
DATE: Wednesday 5 November 2025
TIME: 10am – 12pm (AWST/Perth time)
LOCATION: Online
Submit your EOI here: https://bit.ly/42JRZ8r