Preterm birth (i.e. birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of neonatal death during the first four weeks of life (days 0-28), and the second leading cause of death in children under 5 (see indicator “Under age 5 mortality” in ). Many survivors of preterm births also face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems as well as long-term development. But preterm birth can be largely prevented. Three-quarters of deaths associated with preterm birth can be saved even without intensive care facilities. Current cost-effective interventions include kangaroo mother care (continuous skin to skin contact initiated within the first minute of birth), early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding (initiated within the first hour of birth) and basic care for infections and breathing difficulties (WHO, 2013; see indicator “Infant mortality” in ). Preterm birth rates can be also reduced if women, particularly adolescents, have better access to family planning and increased empowerment, as well as improved care and nutrition during pregnancies (see indicator “Family planning” in ).