Georgia once again receives an F in preterm birth report
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Georgia's preterm birth rate did not change from 2023 to 2024, according to an annual report from March of Dimes — but that's not exactly good news.
Why it matters: The report underscores persistent gaps in equity, access and maternal care. It should be a "wake-up call" that change is needed in the U.S., said Michael Warren, the chief medical and health officer of March of Dimes, a nonprofit focused on ending preventable preterm birth and infant death.
Driving the news: Georgia's preterm birth rate in 2024 was 11.8%, the same failing grade it received in 2023, according to the March of Dimes report card.
- The national rate was 10.4%, earning the U.S. a D+ for the third straight year.
- Georgia ranks 45th out of 52 (including all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico).
Context: Preterm babies — born before 37 weeks of pregnancy — may not be fully developed at birth, leading to more health problems.
Zoom in: The racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth rates are also jarring in Georgia.
- The rate for Black mothers is 15.1%, followed by Pacific Islander (10.6%), white (10.3%), American Indian/Alaska Native (10%), Hispanic (9.9%) and Asian (9.7%) mothers.
- Medicaid recipients (13.3%) also have higher rates, followed by the 10.9% who have private insurance and the other 9.9% who have other plans.
The big picture: Although 19 states improved their preterm birth percentages, 21 states worsened, per the report that relies on CDC data.
- South Dakota saw the biggest rate decrease (10% lower), while D.C. saw the steepest rate increase (8% higher).
- New Hampshire received the best grade: an A- for its 7.9% preterm birth rate. And Mississippi got the lowest: an F for its 15% rate.
The fine print: The grades are calculated based on how far away they are from a goal rate of 8.1%.
Between the lines: There are also major infant health discrepancies at the national level when it comes to race, Warren tells Axios.
- 9.5% of babies born to white mothers were preemies.
- 14.7% of babies born to non-Hispanic Black mothers were preemies.
What we're hearing: "There's no biological reason" for the major state and racial differences in preterm birth rate, Warren says.
- Instead, factors like poverty, housing stability and discrimination influence these health outcomes, he says.
- Many expectant mothers lack access to maternity care services and may skip prenatal visits and other appointments.
- A separate March of Dimes report found that more than a third of U.S. counties lack a single obstetric clinician.
What we're watching: Whether funding cuts from President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" lead to more maternity care deserts across the country.