Thousands of early births have been avoided with improved outcomes for women and babies, according to analysis of a world-first Australian initiative.

A study recently published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health, examined the impact of a national preterm birth prevention program introduced in Australia in 2018.

It found since the prevention measures were introduced, the rate of preterm and early term births — a major cause of death and disability — had lowered by between 7 and 10 per cent, or about 4,000 fewer early births a year.

University of Western Australia Professor of Obstetrics and Chair of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, John Newnham, spearheaded the preterm birth prevention program and was lead author of the study, which examined nearly

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