Dear Friend,

Today we issued the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card, and one thing remains constant: an alarmingly high preterm birth rate. In 2023, more than 370,000 babies were born preterm—10.4% of all births—earning the US a D+ for the third year in a row.

While it is possible for women to have healthy pregnancies, the US remains the most dangerous high-income nation in which to give birth.

Inside the report, you can learn more about what grade your state earned and what that means for families in your community.

Since 2008, March of Dimes has released the Report Card to educate and advocate for better mom and baby outcomes across the country. This year’s Report Card highlights the collective factors that contribute to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the US.

Twenty-four states experienced worsening rates, with many located in the southeast region of US. Seven of the 9 states and Puerto Rico that received an F on last year’s report had higher preterm birth rates in 2023.

This year's report is a rallying cry—in the US each year, 1 in 10 babies is born too soon.

While maternal mortality reached a historic high of 32.9 deaths per 100,000 women in 2021, rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels with over 800 maternal deaths in 2022, a national rate of 22 per 100,000 live births.

The US must prioritize the health of its moms and babies. We can change the tide of the maternal and infant health crisis by taking urgent action today to help ensure a healthy tomorrow for all families. We can all make a profound impact by investing in our communities, advocating for policy change, and raising funds for critical research and programs. Visit marchofdimes.org/reportcard to learn more.

Together, we can make a difference.

March of Dimes