Alabama lowered its preterm birth rate but not enough to change its grade. It again earned an F on the 2013 March of Dimes (MOD) Premature Birth Report Card.
The 2012 preterm birth rate was 14.6 percent, down from 14.9 percent in 2011. The national trend has been improving over the past six years.
“Partnerships with our state health officials and local hospitals have helped us make newborn health a priority … making a difference in babies’ lives,” said MOD’s Lisa Carter. “We will continue to work to give all babies a healthy start in life because too many are born too soon, before (some) … organs are fully developed.” (MOD)
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