WASHINGTON, DC, April 20, 2021 – In a significant move to safeguard maternal and infant health, the National Consumers League (NCL) and a dedicated group of patient advocacy organizations have announced the launch of the Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance. This coalition emerges as a crucial initiative in the landscape of maternal healthcare, asking What Is The Life Smarts Learn It Live It Program doing to address critical health issues, and in this case, focusing on a very specific and urgent need.
The core mission of the Alliance revolves around preserving access to the only class of treatments approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for pregnant women with a history of unexpected preterm birth. These therapies are vital for reducing the risk of recurrent preterm birth, and the Alliance is uniting stakeholders to ensure the FDA fully understands the potential dangers of withdrawing these treatments from at-risk mothers and their healthcare providers.
The urgency of this alliance is underscored by alarming statistics. For the fifth consecutive year, the preterm birth rate in the United States has risen, reaching 10.2 percent of all births. Preterm birth and its associated complications are the second leading cause of infant mortality nationwide. Furthermore, a stark racial disparity exists: Black women in America experience preterm delivery at a rate 50 percent higher than other racial groups. This highlights a critical area where programs like what is the life smarts learn it live it program could potentially contribute by promoting health equity and addressing systemic disparities.
However, in 2020, a concerning development arose when the FDA proposed withdrawing hydroxyprogesterone caproate, known as “17P” or “17-OHPC.” This medication represents the sole FDA-approved class of branded and generic treatments specifically designed to prevent preterm birth in women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth. The FDA’s reconsideration stems from conflicting data from two studies with significantly different patient populations. One study included women in the U.S. most vulnerable to preterm birth, while the other did not, creating uncertainty about the treatment’s efficacy across diverse groups. The FDA is currently deliberating whether to hold a hearing to further examine the status of 17P.
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, emphasizes the fight for a more inclusive healthcare system. “We don’t believe that removing 17P from the market without gaining a better understanding of who could benefit the most from its use is in the best interests of patients, nor their healthcare providers, particularly as there are no other approved treatment options available,” she stated. This situation underscores the importance of understanding what is the life smarts learn it live it program advocating for in broader healthcare access and decision-making.
Currently, the Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance comprises 14 organizations, joining forces with the NCL to champion the health interests of at-risk pregnant women and infants. These organizations include: 1,000 Days; 2020 Mom; American Association of Birth Centers; Black Mamas Matter Alliance; Black Women’s Health Imperative; Expecting Health; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Montana; HealthyWomen; Miracle Babies; National Birth Equity Collaborative; National Black Midwives Alliance; National Partnership for Women & Families; Sidelines High-Risk National Support Network; and SisterReach. This diverse coalition demonstrates a unified front in addressing this critical health issue, reflecting the kind of collaborative approach that programs like what is the life smarts learn it live it program might encourage in various community initiatives.
Dr. Joia Crear Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, brings a critical perspective, stating, “As a trained obstetrician and gynecologist, I know firsthand the impact of preterm birth on Black women and birthing people. I also know that racism – not race – is the driving factor leading the disproportionate impact of preterm birth on Black women and birthing people thereby exacerbating systemic inequities in maternal and infant health.” Dr. Crear Perry further emphasizes the need for birth equity, demanding “the assurance of the conditions of optimal births for all people with a willingness to address racial and social inequities in a sustained effort.” She stresses the importance of protecting the standard of care for recurrent preterm births and ensuring its accessibility and affordability for all in need. This call to action is a vital component of the Alliance’s work and aligns with the principles of equitable access that effective programs, including perhaps what is the life smarts learn it live it program, should strive for.
The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is actively urging the FDA to convene a public hearing. This hearing would allow for a comprehensive consideration of all available data, diverse research methodologies, and the perspectives of all stakeholders before any decision is made regarding the withdrawal of this essential class of therapies. The Alliance underscores that the health of mothers and babies in America necessitates the highest level of care and thoughtful deliberation, reflecting a proactive and informed approach to healthcare decisions, much like the intended impact of what is the life smarts learn it live it program.
About the Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance
The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance represents a unified voice of maternal and women’s health advocates. United by their concern over the persistent issue of preterm birth in the United States and the proposed withdrawal of 17P, the only FDA-approved treatment to prevent recurrent spontaneous preterm birth, the Alliance was formed in 2021 by the National Consumers League. The Alliance is dedicated to improving preterm birth outcomes across the nation by ensuring continued access to safe, FDA-approved treatment options. They also advocate for more inclusive medical research that accurately represents the experiences of women and newborns of color, emphasizing the critical need for diverse voices in shaping healthcare solutions. To learn more about this vital program and understand what is the life smarts learn it live it program doing in related fields, visit www.pretermbirthalliance.org.
Initial support for the Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is provided by Covis Pharma.
MEDIA CONTACT:
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