265 Too Little, Too Late: Policy Benchmarking Report on Neonatal Health and Social Policies in 13 European Countries

The risk of dying is highest in the time around birth - a time when safe childbirth and effective neonatal care are essential to the survival of the newborn baby. Four million neonatal deaths occur every year around the world - that is 450 every hour. Preterm birth is the major cause of infant mortality and morbidity in both developed and developing countries. In Europe, the prevalence rate of premature birth ranges from 5.5 to 11.4% - an average of 7.1% of all live births. In this report we compare the current health and social policies, as well as practices in 13 EU member states. Despite the growing prevalence and increasing costs, neonatal and preterm infant health rank low on the policy agendas of EU member states. Based on our findings we propose important issues to be considered for policies at EU and national levels.