This comprehensive research article examines the critical role of human rights and respectful care in preterm birth prevention and management, highlighting significant progress since the 2012 Born Too Soon report while identifying persistent challenges and priorities for the future. The study defines human rights related to preterm birth as encompassing access to respectful, evidence-based care; informed consent; protection from discrimination and unnecessary separation of mother and newborn; and broader social entitlements including parental leave and disability support.
The article documents substantial progress in the global human rights landscape since 2012, including the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals with stronger rights focus, advancement of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter (updated in 2019 to include newborn rights), and WHO’s incorporation of “experience of care” as a core component of quality alongside clinical provision. The rise of social movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and “The Green Wave” in Latin America has fostered new dialogue and legal reforms related to justice and reproductive rights. However, the research also identifies concerning setbacks, including threats to sexual and reproductive rights, workforce shortages, and discriminatory policies that continue to undermine progress.
The study presents programmatic priorities across multiple levels using an ecological framework with the mother-baby dyad at the center. At the individual level, priorities include implementing respectful maternity care and family-centered care while ensuring minimal separation and strong mental health support. Healthcare provider priorities focus on competency development, supportive work environments, and protection from workplace violence. Facility-level priorities emphasize eliminating disrespectful practices like detention for unpaid bills and creating supportive environments for both families and providers. Community-level priorities include social accountability programs, community scorecards, and women’s support groups, while national-level priorities focus on robust legislation, monitoring of rights violations, and comprehensive universal health coverage.
The authors propose four pivotal shifts for the coming decade: scaling up respectful care through reimagined health systems; empowering and partnering with women and families in all aspects of care and policy; protecting healthcare providers’ rights through fair pay and safe working conditions; and strengthening inclusive, transparent, and data-driven policy action with robust accountability mechanisms. The research concludes that advancing the preterm birth agenda requires embedding human rights principles at the core of every policy, service, and interaction rather than as an afterthought.
