How one Florida program reduced preterm births – and how it could serve as a model for other communities

By: Loveline Chizobam Phillips, George Mason University and Faye Taxman, George Mason University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 11, 2025

Words: 1,377

Last Updated: 1 month ago

By Loveline Chizobam Phillips, George Mason University and Faye Taxman, George Mason University

One in 10 babies in the U.S. – nearly 374,000 infants – were born preterm in 2023, meaning before 37 weeks of pregnancy. More than 15% were very preterm, meaning they were born before 32 weeks. A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.

Florida’s rate is slightly higher, at about 1 in 9 babies born preterm. In an average week, …

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