Report Card on Nations Prematurity Rates

In honor of National Prematurity Awareness Day (November 12), the March of Dimes has released its first annual Premature Birth Report Card, measuring each U.S. state's progress towards the 2010 goal. Unfortunately most are at a "C" average or below on the reports grading scale and the nation as a whole received a "D".

The only state to earn a "B" was Vermont. Eight states including California earned a "C," 23 states earned a "D," and 18 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia got failing grades of "F." The purpose of the report card is to raise public awareness of the growing crisis of preterm birth so elected and appointed officials will commit more resources to address this problem.

"It is unacceptable that our nation is failing so many preterm babies," said Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "We are determined to find and implement solutions to prevent preterm birth, based on research, best clinical practices, and improved education for moms."

In addition to providing state rankings, the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card analyzes contributing factors and prevention opportunities, including rates of late preterm birth, smoking, and uninsured women of child-bearing age. In California, the rate of late preterm births is 7.8 percent; the rate of women smoking is 11 percent, and the rate of uninsured women is 22.7 percent.

The Report Card also calls for:

• Expanded federal support for prematurity-related research to uncover the causes of premature birth and lead not only to strategies for prevention, but also improved care and outcomes for preterm infants.
• Hospital leaders to voluntarily review all Cesarean-section births and inductions of labor that occur before 39 weeks gestation, in an effort to reverse America's rising preterm birth rate. The review should ensure that all C-sections and inductions meet established professional guidelines.
• Policymakers to improve access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and to support smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care.
• Businesses to create workplaces that support maternal and infant health, such as providing private areas to pump breast milk, access to flextime and information about how to have a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

In this election year, the March of Dimes invites all Americans to help send a message to the new president and to federal and state lawmakers by signing the 2008 Petition for Preemies at marchofdimes.com/petition.

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