The Significance of the First Campaign of "Prematurity, Hope"

ABSTRACT

The Korean Society of Neonatology launched the 1st Korean Prematurity Day, so called "Prematurity, Hope" campaign on November 11, 2012, just before the World Prematurity Day of November 17 which was launched in 2011. There were about 330 attendees including about 100 previous premature infants and their families, Minister of Health and Welfare and government officers, Members of National Assembly, Members of Korean Society of Neonatology and other medical societies, reporters and journalists. The campaign was the biggest event of the Korean Society of Neonatology to the public since the establishment of Korean Society of Neonatology in 1993. While Korean birth rate has been dropping these days, preterm birth rate keeps increasing. However, our socioeconomic support for health of premature infants is insufficient. A purpose of the campaign was that top priority to solve low-birthrate has to be the health of premature infant in Korea. The campaign has been accomplished successfully. We hope that it would have a better effect on preterm infants' families, communities, health policy of government and medical environment for preterm infant care. We describe the background, purpose, preparation, progress, outcomes and future plans of the "Prematurity, Hope" Campaign.