Premature birth: Premature birth is defined as a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation. In 2006, the infant mortality rate in the United States due to prematurity/low birth weight accounted for 17 percent of all infant deaths (M. Bitler & Currie, 2011). This is not only emotionally problematic for the family involved; it is also problematic financially, both for the family and for the economy. According to the March of Dimes, in 2009, the average medical costs for a premature baby were more than 10 times higher than when a woman had a healthy, full-term baby (Peristats - March of Dimes, 2009) . The average costs were $49,033 and $4,551 respectively (Healthy People 2020). The more risk factors are identified, the more it will allow public health and individuals to focus on specific interventions that will help prevent the occurrence of premature births, which is problematic for both families and our health. health care system (Ratzon, 2010).Health People 2020: Maternal, Child and Child HealthHealthy People 2020 objectives linked to indicators are Maternal, Child and Child Health (MIC) 9.1-9.4 which focuses on reducing births premature. MIC 9.1 focuses on reducing the overall number of premature births. The baseline is 12.7 percent and the target is 11.4 percent. MIC 9.2 concerns the reduction of late premature or live births between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. The baseline is 9 percent and the target is 8.1 percent. MIC 9.3 concerns the reduction of live births between 32 and 33 weeks of gestation. The baseline is 1.6 percent and the target is 1.4 percent. Finally, MIC 9.4 concerns premature or live births at less than 32 weeks of gestation. The baseline is 2 percent and the goal is 1.8 percent (Ohio Department of Health). Premature birth statistics: Using the CDC vita...... middle of paper ......n a first or subsequent pregnancy. Most relevant to our community and the premature birth indicator: 1) integrate reproductive health messages into health promotion campaigns, 2) educate health providers about the importance of addressing health before conception in all women of childbearing age, 3) develop and implement modules on preconception care for specific clinical conditions for use in clinical training at graduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels, 4) develop, evaluate, and replicate intensive models of evidence-based interconception care and care coordination for women at high social and medical risk, and 5) increase health coverage for low-income and childbearing-age women by using federal options and waivers under the public and private health insurance systems and the National Children's Health Insurance Program.