During the month of November, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with the March of Dimes is celebrating Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day on November 17, 2017.
For the last 30 years, the premature birth rate has increased dramatically and no one knows why. Premature birth is the leading cause of death in newborns, specifically babies born to Black women. In the U.S., Black babies are more than one and one-half times as likely to be born too early compared to babies born to white women. In 2011 in the U.S., the preterm birth rate for Black infants was 16.8 percent compared to the national average of 11.7 percent. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon every year. More than one million die but 75 percent of these deaths are preventable.
Zetas encourage young women to seek medical appointments for prenatal care immediately upon suspecting that they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
For more information on Prematurity Awareness and November 17th as Prematurity Awareness Day, visit www.marchofdimes.org or www.zphib1920.org. The Gary chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is also available to assist with information or questions at [email protected]. Joan Marsh is the Basileus of the Chapter.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, is a community service, action oriented Greek Letter organization founded at Howard University in January, 1920 by five female students. The principles of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. are comprised of Community Service, Academic Achievement and Sisterly Love.
