The huge increase in preterm birth in the United States (30% increase since 1981) is a major public health concern, both from the standpoint of infant mortality and from the standpoint of the immense cost burden this problem places on the health care system. During 2006, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that more neonatal deaths can be attributed to premature birth than previously thought. With this finding, premature births have overtaken birth defects as the greatest cause of infant mortality rates.

Three years ago, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), partnering with the March of Dimes, began a nationwide campaign to examine the causes and find remedial action for this very troubling pregnancy outcome. Though they all agree that premature birth is a serious health issue, the cause of these premature births and the resulting increase infant mortality has ACOG, March of Dimes, and the CDC stumped. All of them apparently refuse to remove their politically correct blinders.

But thanks to Karen Malec of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, Dr. William Colliton, Jr., and the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), this mystery has been solved. They are willing to consider the results of studies that show the connection between abortion and premature births. Over 50 previous epidemiological studies attest to the association between abortion and premature birth in later pregnancies, including recent studies in Europe. The literature notwithstanding, ACOG has positioned itself with a categorical denial of this association. Likewise, the March of Dimes and the CDC are unable to make the connection.

Failure to accept the data because of political correctness is especially evident with the impact on black women. Medical reports establish the fact that black women have triple the rate of “very” preterm birth (less than 32 weeks) compared to white women. National statistics establish the fact that 12% of the population is black, while 33% of induced abortions are done on black women. Simple arithmetic establishes the fact that black women, per capita, have about triple the rate of induced abortion as white women. In summary, black women have 3 times the rate of induced abortion and black women have 3 times the rate of “very” preterm labor.

To satisfy their political correctness, ACOG and the March of Dimes focus on things like environmental tobacco exposure, lead exposure, and maternal stress/anxiety as potential explanations for the difference in premature birth rates between black and white women.

As Karen Malec observes, “March of Dimes officials are wringing their hands and scratching their heads over the problem of premature birth.  They can’t seem to figure out why there are so many premature births in the U.S.  How many fewer premature births, infant deaths and cases of cerebral palsy might there be if the March of Dimes had warned women about this evidence on a timely basis.” The failure of health “experts” to acknowledge the role of abortion allows this health crisis to continue unchecked.

Bill Beckman