Lancet preterm birth paper

New data shows that Australia’s world-first initiative to reduce preterm and early term births is working — with fewer babies being born too soon and better outcomes for mothers and families across the country.

Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health, the study reports on the results of a six-year national preterm birth prevention program launched in mid-2018.

Preterm birth — when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy — remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability for children worldwide.

To tackle rising rates of early birth, the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance introduced a comprehensive program in 2018, using proven, evidence-based strategies suited to the Australian healthcare system.

Between 2018 and 2021, the nationwide rollout of these strategies under the Alliance led to a 10% reduction in preterm births. Building on this success, the program expanded in 2021 with the Commonwealth-funded Every Week Counts National Program, bringing together 59 hospitals to help reduce early term births (37–39 weeks).

Overall, the findings show that by applying existing knowledge, it’s possible to cut rates of harmful early birth by around 7–10%.

That’s the equivalent of about 4,000 fewer early births every year — giving thousands more babies across Australia the healthiest possible start to life.

‘Reducing rates of preterm and early term singleton births safely in Australia: results of the national prevention program’, can be viewed online at The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health here.

The Australian Preterm and Early Term Birth Program, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, aims to improve health outcomes for women and babies by safely reducing preterm and early term birth by 20% within participating maternity services across Australia by June 2026.

Visit the Every Week Counts website for more information.