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(Image source: KET.org)
BY LOGAN TITTLE
Some good news regarding U.S. health rates: preterm birth rates have fallen for the sixth
year in a row.
That's according to a report released this week by the March of Dimes. It shows the rate
is now at 11.5 percent — the lowest in 15 years. (Via CBS)
Premature births are the leading cause of infant death. Those who survive are at a higher
risk of permanent breathing problems, disabilities and cerebral palsy.
Births happening before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature. Rates were at their
highest in 2006 and have reportedly cost the country more than $26 billion per year. (Via
KWGN)
The Huffington Post provides an infographic pointing out the two biggest risk factors
as uninsured women and women who smoke.
"It's definitely associated with younger mothers. It's associated with smoking and it's associated
with having had a preterm baby in your previous pregnancy." (Via WSPA)
The March of Dimes report shows 37 states have reduced the percentage of uninsured women
and 35 have reduced the percentage of pregnant women who smoke — But despite the improvements,
the U.S. still has the highest rate of any industrialized nation.
With one in nine babies born too soon, the March of Dimes gave the country a "C" on its
annual premature birth report card.
The report looked at race and individual states when determining the nation's preterm birth
rates.
HealthDay reports African Americans had the highest preterm birth rate in 2012, at 16.5
percent — down from 18.5 percent in 2006. (Via WEAU)
This is the lowest it's been in more than 20 years, but it's still more than 1.5 times
higher than among Caucasians.
And states including Washington, Colorado, New York and Maine all received a higher grade
than the national average. But lower states held a same or worse grade.
The March of Dimes determines preterm birth report card grades by the distance of a state's
rate of preterm birth from the organization's goal of 9.6%.