Nelly Jacobo According to CDC (2015) a premature infant is one who is born before 37 week of pregnancy. One in every fifteen infants are born premature. African American women have a 50% higher risk to give birth to a premature infant than white women.  Premature infants face many health challenges. They are more prone to developing respiratory problems, health complications, and have higher mortality rates due to the lack of fully developed organs. According to The impact of premature birth on society (2015) 15 million infants are born premature, of those, 1 million infants will die. The average cost of a premature infant is $54,194. Premature infants require critical care which involves respiratory, medications, and at times surgical interventions. These required interventions not only put a strain on ones economic, but also creates stress for family members. The stress increases in families due to the unpreparedness, long hospital stay, and fears of mortality. The organization COPE help families gain the knowledge, skills, confidence, improve care giving abilities, therefore increasing the outcomes of the affected infants. COPE can be reached via website www.copeforhope.com. Although there is some organizations that can offer help with coping and care of premature infants, not many families take advantage of these supportive services. Premature infants care can be costly and create stressful situations for family members. Acquiring the support needed will help improve infants outcomes and help family members cope with these difficult situation. Education is a very important part of caring for premature infants as well as decreasing mortality rates. References Preterm Birth. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm The impact of premature birth on society. (2015). Retreived from http://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/the-economic-and-social-costs-aspx

Nelly Jacobo According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2015), a premature infant is defined as one who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The incidence of premature birth is significant, with one in every fifteen infants being born prematurely. This is a concerning statistic, particularly for African American women, as they have a 50% higher risk of giving birth to a premature infant compared to white women.

Premature infants face numerous health challenges due to their early arrival. One of the most common issues they encounter is respiratory problems, as their lungs may not be fully developed. Additionally, premature infants are at a higher risk of experiencing various health complications, which can lead to increased mortality rates. The impact of premature birth on society is staggering, as highlighted by a study reported in 2015, estimating that there are 15 million premature births globally, with one million of these resulting in infant death (March of Dimes, 2015).

The care required for premature infants can be extensive and costly. The average cost of caring for a premature infant is approximately $54,194 (March of Dimes, 2015). This cost includes critical care interventions such as respiratory support, medications, and, in some cases, surgical procedures. These interventions not only place a financial burden on families but also create emotional stress due to the unpreparedness, long hospital stays, and fears of mortality.

In order to address these challenges, organizations like COPE (Caring for Premature Infants and their Families) have been established to provide support and resources for families. The aim of COPE is to help families gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to improve caregiving abilities and therefore enhance the outcomes for premature infants. Families can access COPE through their website, www.copeforhope.com. Despite the availability of such support services, it is unfortunate that not many families take advantage of them.

The high cost of caring for premature infants combined with the stressful situations it creates for family members emphasizes the need for support. By accessing the necessary support, families can improve the outcomes for their infants and better cope with the difficulties they face. Education plays a vital role in caring for premature infants and reducing mortality rates.

In conclusion, premature birth is a significant public health issue, with a higher prevalence among African American women. Premature infants face numerous health challenges, including respiratory problems and increased mortality rates. Providing adequate support and education to families is crucial in improving outcomes for premature infants and helping families cope with the associated stress. Despite the availability of supportive services, many families do not take advantage of them. The cost of caring for premature infants is high, which further highlights the importance of accessing support to alleviate financial and emotional burdens. Ultimately, reducing the incidence of premature birth and improving care for premature infants requires a comprehensive approach involving healthcare providers, public health initiatives, and community support services.