A decade of action on global preterm birth: Born Too Soon update

Preterm birth is now the leading cause of child deaths, accounting for more than one in five of all deaths of children occurring before their fifth birthday.¹ Preterm survivors can face lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delays. Neonatal conditions still occupy the top slot – among all conditions, of all ages – in the global burden of disease. The 2012 Born Too Soon report ignited a movement for action on preterm birth. Now, an updated 2023 report developed by more than 70 organisations in 46 countries takes stock of the journey of the past decade – the good and the bad, the challenges and the opportunities.