Preterm birth is currently the leading cause of neonatal mortality in the United States. Even though the U.S. has one of the most advanced medical systems in the world, nearly one out of every eight babies born in the United States is premature. Premature babies who do manage to survive face an increased risk of disease throughout their childhood.

To further complicate healthy deliveries, late preterm births (34-37 weeks) are also on the rise in the U.S. New research shows that babies born even a few weeks early require more medical and nursing care, longer hospital stays and more readmissions than babies born at full term. Yet while one in eight infants in the U.S. is still born prematurely, preventative care and education are the available and existing keys to addressing this challenge....