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World Prematurity Day
WHO / Yoshi Shimizu
A mother and baby having skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. National Centre for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH), Bayangol District, Mongolia.
A mother and baby having skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. National Centre for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH), Bayangol District, Mongolia.
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Credits
17 November is World Prematurity Day
Marked annually on 17 November, World Prematurity Day is a global moment to raise awareness of the challenges and impact of preterm birth. The day shines a spotlight on the urgent need to improve care for babies born too soon while providing practical and emotional support for their families.
Launched in 2008 by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants alongside several parent organizations, World Prematurity Day has today grown into a worldwide movement. Around the world, individuals and organizations come together through events, campaigns, and advocacy seeking to drive change and improve outcomes for preterm babies.
Recognizing the importance of this issue for advancing child health and survival, the World Health Assembly added World Prematurity Day to WHO’s official calendar in 2025.