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Fifteen million babies, one in 10 births, are born prematurely every year, a global project suggests. One million of these babies die soon after birth. The joint report, led by the WHO, says three quarters of deaths could be prevented with basic care. For the first time premature birth rates have been estimated by country, with the highest risk being in Africa. In the UK about 8% of babies are born too soon and this rate is rising partly due to obesity and later motherhood. There are nearly 60,000 premature births every year in the UK. Andy Cole, from premature baby charity Bliss, said "it is worrying that the UK's preterm birth rate is significantly higher than countries such as Sweden, Norway and Ireland, and highlights the need for well-co-ordinated and high-quality antenatal care for all women identified as high risk".