US Graded D+ for Rising Preterm Birth Rates, New Report Finds
The United States has earned a disappointing D+ grade for its rising preterm birth rates, according to a new report released by the infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes. The alarming trend has been observed in the latest data, which shows that the preterm birth rate in the US has climbed to 10.5% last year, representing an increase of 4% since 2020 and the worst national rate since March of Dimes started tracking this data in 2007.
Source: media.cnn.com
The report, which is an annual ‘report card’ on maternal and infant health, highlights the ‘striking’ disparities in preemies’ health, with babies born to Black and Native American mothers being 62% more likely to be born preterm than those born to White women. The data also reveals that no state has achieved an A rate, while nine states and one territory have preterm birth rates that received an F grade.
Source: media.cnn.com
The national preterm birth rate of 10.5% is a 15-year high in the US, with the rate peaking at 12.8% in 2006. The report emphasizes the urgent need to address these state-by-state disparities and improve the national preterm birth rate as a whole. To achieve this, March of Dimes has been advocating for certain policies, including the Black Maternal Health ‘Momnibus’ Act of 2021, which aims to provide pre- and postnatal support for Black mothers.
Source: media.cnn.com
The report also highlights the potential factors contributing to the nation’s rising preterm birth rate, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which remains one of the biggest contributors. Many mothers in the US are starting pregnancies later in life, and there has been an increase in mothers with chronic health conditions, who are at higher risk of having to give birth early due to pregnancy complications.
According to the World Health Organization, about 15 million babies are born preterm each year, amounting to more than 1 in 10 of all births around the world. The WHO has called prematurity an ‘urgent public health issue’ and ‘the leading cause of death of children under 5.’
The new WHO guidelines recommend that skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo mother care, be provided to a preterm infant immediately after birth, without any initial time spent in an incubator. This approach can help infants better regulate their body temperature and protect against infections.
The guidelines also emphasize the importance of emotional, financial, and workplace support for families of babies born too early or at low birth weights. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that ‘preterm babies can survive, thrive, and change the world – but each baby must be given that chance.’
March of Dimes’ senior vice president and interim chief medical and health officer, Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, emphasized the need for policies to protect the most vulnerable in the country, saying ‘it’s unfortunate that we don’t have policies in place to protect our moms and babies.’
She added that the US is one of the worst places to give birth and be born among industrialized countries, with the nation’s preterm birth rate being one of the highest in the world.
