Our country is failing hundreds of thousands of its youngest citizens on the day they are born, according to the March of Dimes.
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In the first of what will be an annual Premature Birth Report Card, the nation received a “D” and not a single state earned an “A,” when the March of Dimes compared actual preterm birth rates to the national Healthy People 2010 objective.
The only state to earn a “B” was Vermont. Eight others earned a “C,” 23 states earned a “D,” and 18 states, including Texas, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia got failing grades of “F.”
The National Healthy People 2010 preterm birth objective is to lower the rate to 7.6 percent of all live births. Latest available data (2005) show that the national preterm birth rate is 12.7 percent. In Texas, the rate is 13.7 percent.
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The March of Dimes says that in 2009, Report Card grades will reflect state actions taken that have the potential to reduce preterm birth rates in future years.
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Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in the first month of life in the United States. The preterm birth rate has increased about 20 percent since 1990, and costs the nation more than $26 billion a year, according to the Institute of Medicine report issued in July 2006.
Babies who survive a premature birth face the risk of serious lifelong health problems including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, and other chronic conditions including asthma. Even infants born just a few weeks too soon have a greater risk of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, hypothermia (temperature instability), jaundice and delayed brain development.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
You can see a map showing how all stated ranked on the March of Dimes’ website, www.marchofdimes.com.
