D.C. gets failing grade on preterm births
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D.C. received an F grade for its preterm birth rate last year, per a March of Dimes annual report.
Why it matters: The report underscores persistent gaps in equity, access and maternal care, and shows that Black mothers and their children are especially impacted by D.C.'s low scores.
Context: Preterm babies — born before 37 weeks of pregnancy — may not be fully developed at birth, leading to more health problems.
By the numbers: D.C.'s preterm birth rate jumped to 11.8% last year — the steepest rate increase out of all the states and Puerto Rico, and higher than the national average of 10.4% (aka a D+ grade).
- And its maternal mortality rate was 28.2 — higher than the national average of 23.5.
Zoom in: Black women (14.5%) and those on Medicaid (14.7%) had the highest preterm birth rates in the District.
- The infant mortality rate was 1.5 times higher for babies born to Black moms in D.C. — aka 10.1 per 1,000 live births, compared to the city's overall rate of 7. (The national rate is 5.6.)
- And the rate of inadequate prenatal care was 1.3 times higher for babies born to D.C. Black moms (30.2%) than the city-wide rate (23%). The national rate is 16.1%.
Zoom out: The scores for Virginia and Maryland weren't great, either:
- Virginia received a C- grade, with a 10.1% preterm birth rate.
- Maryland got a D+, with a 10.5% rate.
The big picture: D.C. has long had a maternal health crisis, especially when it comes to Black moms.
- Local efforts to fix this include health programs aimed at reducing disparities among pregnant people, and Mayor Muriel Bowser's plan to erect a comprehensive health care system in Wards 7 and 8, an area with a majority-Black population that has seen higher rates of poverty and poor health outcomes.