The U.S. preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7%. That is the lowest in a decade. Still, our country has a long way to go in reducing our rate of premature birth.
There are 1 in 8 babies born too soon in the U.S. Therefore, the March of Dimes annual "Premature Birth Report Card" gave the U.S. a "C."
Only four states - Vermont, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Maine earned an "A." The preterm birth rates in those states met the March of Dimes 9.6% goal.
Alabama, along with Mississippi and Louisiana received an "F."
Alabama had a 14.9% preterm birth rate in 2011. That is down from 15.6% in 2010.
To see how all the state rank, click here.
