Professor John Newnham, 67, is a Perth-based obstetrics specialist internationally recognised for his work in the prevention of pre-term birth, the single-greatest cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age.

He has led a number of pioneering studies, one of which led to an eight per cent reduction in premature births across WA.

Prof Newnham said it had been thought pre-term birth could not be prevented, but the work in WA had shown the rate could be safely reduced.

"This requires a whole-of-population, whole-of-geographical-region effort, and is based on the introduction of new clinical guidelines, education for the entire healthcare workforce, education of the entire pregnant population and their families, together with changes to the way we use ultrasound imaging in mid-pregnancy," he said.

Australians should be proud the country was the first to have a national pre-term birth prevention program.

"The structure of the program has been built. The lead persons in each state and territory are in place," he said in receiving his award in Canberra on Saturday.

"What we need to do now is to provide the support needed for national success. And that includes financial support.

"It is now time for prevention of pre-term birth to become a national priority for Australia."

Australian Associated Press