Texas has initiated a new research collaboration aimed at tackling the state’s concerning rate of preterm births. The initiative, launched by the nonprofit organization March of Dimes, brings together experts from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and UT Medical Branch in Galveston. This collaborative effort represents the sixth Prematurity Research Center established by March of Dimes.
Clint Abernathy, chair of the March of Dimes board and president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “It’s really a historical moment for Dallas-Fort Worth and for the state of Texas.” The preterm birth rate in Texas currently stands at 11%, with over 43,000 preterm births recorded in 2023, equating to approximately one in nine infants born in the state. Abernathy noted that the collaborative aims to find innovative solutions to address this pressing issue by utilizing existing expertise within Texas.
Dr. Katherine Spong, chair of the OBGYN department at UT Southwestern, is leading the project alongside another doctor from Galveston. She remarked on the importance of research in creating evidence-based practices, saying, “Having the ability to leverage the March of Dimes network is going to be really important for us.” The collaborative seeks to harness the strengths of each research center to enhance the overall effectiveness of the network.
While there may be overlapping areas of focus among the March of Dimes research centers, each brings unique strengths to the table. At UT Southwestern, researchers are dedicated to improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing preterm births through various approaches, including basic science and population health studies. Dr. Spong highlighted that the collaboration will enable researchers to identify critical areas of investigation that UT Southwestern can contribute to.
The Texas collaboration is expected to emphasize nutrition and metabolism in pregnancy, a crucial aspect of maternal health. Dr. Spong explained that while UT Southwestern brings its own expertise and resources, it can also benefit from the established research frameworks of other institutions. “They may already have samples that are collected in a certain way,” she noted, underscoring the potential for shared knowledge to enhance research outcomes.
UT Southwestern is notable for its extensive clinical services, performing approximately 13,000 deliveries annually. The services provided at Parkland Health and Hospital System, which operates as the Dallas County public hospital, account for around 150,000 prenatal visits and 10,000 deliveries each year, making it one of the busiest comprehensive maternity programs in the United States.
The scale of UT Southwestern’s services provides a “large scale validation” group for testing and evaluating interventions aimed at reducing preterm births. This collaborative launch coincides with a period of significant changes in healthcare and academic research that impact funding sources. Dr. Spong expressed hope that the connection to the March of Dimes network will expedite the research process, allowing for faster answers to the challenges faced in Texas and beyond.
“The opportunities for us to collaborate with other March of Dimes centers and Prematurity Research Centers is just transformational,” Dr. Spong stated. “We’re really excited about the opportunity.”
This initiative reflects a concerted effort to address a critical public health issue and enhance maternal and infant health outcomes in Texas. The collaboration signifies a proactive approach to tackling the challenges of preterm births through research and community engagement.
