~1 in 10 births in the U.S. is preterm
The 2024 March of Dimes Report Card gave the U.S. a D+ grade for preterm births in 2023. That means more than 370,000 babies were born too early (before 37 completed weeks of gestation) in 2023. That’s about 1 in every 10 births, and the problem isn’t improving.
The southern region of the U.S. is especially struggling. For example, Mississippi had the highest preterm birth rate at 15.0%, followed by Louisiana at 13.4% and Alabama at 12.9%. These numbers are far above the national average of 10.4%.
A big factor is inadequate prenatal care; 15.7% of mothers in the U.S. didn’t get adequate care during pregnancy. Chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are also rising, which can lead to preeclampsia and early delivery.
These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent real families going through incredibly difficult experiences. If we want to help lower the rate of premature births, we need strong healthcare access, more education around maternal health, and quality support systems.