Carosika Collaborative
The Carosika Collaborative belongs to everyone who wants to improve preterm birth outcomes in Aotearoa. Our mahi brings together whānau, community, healthcare professionals, healthcare services, researchers, policy-makers and funders with consideration of spontaneous and provider-initiated preterm birth and the prediction, prevention and preparation for preterm birth. We work through education and promotion, advocacy and community engagement, research and measurement of impact, and funding and resources.
Preterm birth affects whānau across Aotearoa
Preterm birth accounts for 8% or 1 in 12 of all live births.
More than 4500 whānau experience preterm birth every year.
European and Asian whānau have lower rates of preterm birth than Māori, Pacific and Indian whānau and their pēpi are more likely to survive when preterm birth has been very early.
Preterm birth rates range from 6% to 11% across different regions.
People living in the least deprived areas have better preterm birth outcomes.
Whānau stories
Key pages
For whānau
For health providers
Equity for all whānau
In Aotearoa, we see differences in preterm birth rates and outcomes for different people. Sometimes this can be explained by factors such as pregnancy and medical conditions. But sometimes these differences are more unjust and unfair, including differences by ethnic group, region of residence and socioeconomic status. For example, European and Asian whānau have lower rates of preterm birth than Māori, Pacific and Indian whānau and their pēpi are more likely to survive when preterm birth has been very early (before 28 weeks).
The Carosika Collaborative will not be able to overcome all the drivers of inequity in preterm birth care and outcomes, but we aim to focus our mahi on those groups most in need. To support this mahi we have created some focused resources.