All Babies in Connecticut are Born Healthy. and 1 more...
Proportion of live singleton births in Connecticut delivered at less than 37 weeks gestation.
Current Value
7.6%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
The underlying causes of preterm birth are not well-understood, but there are several factors that increase the likelihood of preterm labor. These include certain infections, prior preterm birth, high blood pressure, tobacco, alcohol, or other substance abuse during pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, late prenatal care, and stress. Preterm birth is higher among women of black race, as well as among younger women and those with low income or socioeconomic status. Although this indicator provides rates of preterm birth among singleton deliveries only, preterm birth rates are also higher among multiple births (e.g. twins, triplets, and higher-order births).
Annual data are current through 2021. 2022 data are provisional.
Date of next data update: Aug 15th, 2024
Partners
Connecticut Department of Public Health; State Department of Education; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; Connecticut Department of Children and Families; Commission on Children; health care providers; health care facilities; health insurers; professional associations for nursing, dieticians, and pharmacists; organizations and coalitions that support women and infants; community service providers that address at-risk populations; schools of public health, allied health, nursing, and medicine.
What Works
Improving health prior to pregnancy, getting early and adequate prenatal care, and seeking medical care at any signs or symptoms of preterm labor can help prevent very low birth weight. Efforts to increase health equity and address social determinants of health are essential to achieving improved birth outcomes and eliminating disparities.
Healthy People 2020
Strategy
For current year priority strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).
SHIP Strategies:
These potential strategies align with the State Plan to Improve Birth Outcomes to be released.
Address implementation of health promotion efforts.
Promote Social Equity.
Improve access to healthcare for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
Address quality of care for all women and infants.
Address improving maternal risk screening for all women of reproductive age.
Enhance service integration for women and infants.
Develop data systems to understand and inform efforts.
Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.