World Prematurity Day
2026
By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina
A Proclamation
Whereas, each year thousands of families in North Carolina and around the nation are affected when preterm births leave infants and mothers facing serious health risks; and
Whereas, the March of Dimes organization fights for their health by supporting research, leading programs, and providing education and advocacy to amplify the voices of pregnant women and their families in North Carolina and beyond; and
Whereas, March of Dimes has worked extensively to improve access to prenatal care for all and raise awareness of the importance of optimal preconception health as a strategy to improve maternal health and reduce preterm birth, infant mortality, and maternal mortality; and
Whereas, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data for 2025, nearly 11 percent of all births occurred preterm; and
Whereas, the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has set the goal of a 9.4 percent preterm birth rate by 2030; and
Whereas, March of Dimes is committed to partnering with the North Carolina Department of Health
and Human Services to respond to the continued maternal and infant health crisis of prematurity; and
Whereas, the month of November is recognized as Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 is recognized as World Prematurity Day to raise awareness;
Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 17, 2026, as “World Prematurity Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.
Document Entity Terms
First Published
Last Updated