💔 Born Too Soon: Georgia’s Silent Crisis—and Why We Must Act Now

Every year in America, over 370,000 babies are born prematurely. That’s 1 in 10 births—a staggering number that hides behind sterile statistics but represents real families, real heartbreak, and real futures hanging in the balance.

In Georgia, the crisis is even more severe. Our state’s preterm birth rate sits at 11.8%, earning us a failing grade on the March of Dimes 2024 Report Card. That means nearly 1 in 9 babies in Georgia is born too early, too small, and too vulnerable. And for Black families, the burden is heavier still: Black birthing people in Georgia are 1.4 times more likely to deliver preterm than their White counterparts.

This isn’t just a health issue—it’s a justice issue. It’s a community issue. It’s a moral issue.

🚨 The Cost of Prematurity

Premature birth is the leading cause of infant death in the U.S. It’s also a major contributor to long-term disabilities—cerebral palsy, developmental delays, vision and hearing loss, and chronic respiratory issues. Families face weeks or months in the NICU, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma that lingers long after discharge.

In states like Mississippi (13.5%), Louisiana (12.9%), and Alabama (12.6%), the rates are even higher. These numbers reflect more than geography—they reflect systemic gaps in care, racial disparities, and the urgent need for community-driven solutions.

💪 We Know What Works—So Why Aren’t We Doing It?

We don’t need more data to know what saves lives. We need action.

• Access to prenatal care must be universal, especially in rural and underserved areas.

• Culturally competent care—including doulas, midwives, and community health workers—must be funded and prioritized.

• Paid family leave, mental health support, and postpartum care must be treated as essential, not optional.

• Faith communities, schools, and local organizations must rally around families—not just after birth, but before.

  
  

❤️ Georgia, We Can Do Better

This is a call to every neighbor, every policymaker, every healthcare provider, and every person of faith: we must build a culture that protects mothers and gives every baby the gift of time.

Because behind every statistic is a story. A mother who didn’t get the care she needed. A father praying over an incubator. A child who deserved a full beginning.

We cannot wait for another report card. We cannot wait for another funeral. We must act now—with compassion, with urgency, and with resolve.

Let’s be the generation that turns the tide on premature birth. Georgia’s babies are counting on us.