The U.S. Premature Birth Rate Report Card 2021

The March of Dimes recently released the 2021 report card on premature births in the United States. The U.S. has an overall C- grade with a preterm rate of 10.1%, which is poor compared to other countries. The research presented focuses on preterm birth and covers low-risk cesarean birth and doula and midwife legislation and policies.

March of Dimes also reports that “the U.S. preterm birth rate declined slightly for the first time in six years from 10.2 percent in 2019 to 10.1 percent in 2020—with the nation keeping its “C-” grade. Yet, preterm birth rates increased for Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women, who are 60 percent more likely to give birth preterm compared to White women.” Preterm birth is defined as less than 37 weeks of gestational age, based on the obstetric estimate of gestational age.

Let’s break down each of the U.S. states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico to see how they compare.

U.S. Premature Birth Rate Report Card

Alabama scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 12.9%. Birmingham scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 13%.
Alaska scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.8%. Anchorage also scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.8%.
Arizona scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.5%. Phoenix scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10%.
Arkansas scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.8%. Little Rock also scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 14.1%.
California scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.8%. Los Angeles scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.5%.
Colorado scores a “B-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.1%. Denver scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.3%.
Connecticut scores a “B-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.2%. Bridgeport scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%.
Delaware scores a “D+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.4%.
Florida scores a “D+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%. Orlando scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.2%.
Georgia scores a “D-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.4%. Atlanta scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.7%.
Hawaii scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10%. Honolulu scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.9%.
Idaho scores a “B+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.5%. Boise City scores an “A” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.1%.
Illinois scores a “C-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.3%. Chicago scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11%.
Indiana scores a “D+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.4%. Fort Wayne scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.4%.
Iowa scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.9%. Des Moines scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.4%.
Kansas scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10%. Wichita scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.1%.
Kentucky scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11%. Louisville scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%.
Louisiana scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 12.9%. Baton Rouge scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 12.7%.
Maine scores a “B-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.0%.
Maryland scores a “C-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.1%.
Massachusetts scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.8%. Boston scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.9%.
Michigan scores a “C-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.2%. Detroit scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 14.6%.
Minnesota scores a “B-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.1%. Minneapolis scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.4%.
Mississippi scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 14.2%. Jackson scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 19.6%. Overall, Mississippi ranks lowest in the 2021 March of Dimes study.
Missouri scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11%. Kansas City scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%.
Montana scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.8%. Billings scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9%.
Nebraska scores a “D+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%. Omaha scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.7%.
Nevada scores a “D+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.7%. Las Vegas scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11%.
New Hampshire scores a “B+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.4%. Manchester scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.6%.
New Jersey scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.3%. Jersey City scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.7%.
New Mexico scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.6%. Albuquerque scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.7%.
New York scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.2%. New York City scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.1%.
North Carolina scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.8%. Charlotte also scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.1%.
North Dakota scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.8%. Fargo also scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.7%.
Ohio scores a “C-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.3%. Columbus scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.6%.
Oklahoma scores a “D-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.2%. Oklahoma City scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 13.3%.
Oregon scores a “B+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.2%. Portland scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.2%.
Pennsylvania scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.6%. Philadelphia scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.4%.
Puerto Rico scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.6%.
Rhode Island scores a “B-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.1%. Providence scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.1%.
South Carolina scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.8%. Columbia also scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.9%.
South Dakota scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.4%. Sioux Falls scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.2%.
Tennessee scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.9%. Nashville also scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%.
Texas scores a “D” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.8%. Houston holds their preterm birth rate flat from 2020 at 11.9%, but this scores them an “F” grade.
Utah scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.3%. Salt Lake City scores slightly lower with a “C” and a preterm birth rate of 9.5%.
Vermont is the only U.S. state or territory in 2021 to score an “A” grade with a preterm birth rate of 7.6%.
Virginia scores a “C+” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.6%. Virginia Beach scores a “D” with a preterm birth rate of 10.7%.
Washington State scores a “B” grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.6%. Seattle scores an “A” with a preterm birth rate of 6.9%.
Washington, DC scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.8%.
West Virginia scores an “F” grade with a preterm birth rate of 12.0%.
Wisconsin scores a “C” grade with a preterm birth rate of 9.9%. The city of Milwaukee scores an “F” with a preterm birth rate of 13.8%.
Wyoming scores a “C-” grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.1%.

You can find the entire March of Dimes 2021 report card on their website. You can also scan a Q.R. code on their report to get more information about your state or territory.