U.S. Preemie Birth Rate Continues to Fall: Report

The preterm birth rate in the United States fell for a sixth consecutive year in 2012 -- and that 11.5 percent rate is a 15-year low, a subsidiary relation says.

Six states -- Alaska, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont -- earned an "A" a propos the March of Dimes' annual premature birth bank account card because their preterm birth rates met the society's 9.6 percent aspire.


A premature birth is one that occurs in the previously 37 weeks of pregnancy. Health after effects can complement animated problems, developmental delays and cerebral palsy. Prematurity is plus a leading cause of newborn death.

Since 2006, more or less 176,000 fewer premature babies have been born in the United States, potentially saving the nation just about $9 billion in health and societal costs, according to the report released Friday.

But even even even if last year's U.S. preterm birth rate was the lowest back 1998, the nation again earned a "C" upon the excuse card.

"Although we have made pleasing assume ahead in reducing our nation's preterm birth rate from historic highs, the U.S. still has the highest rate of preterm birth of any industrialized country. We must continue to invest in premature birth prevention because every one of baby deserves a healthy dawn in vibrancy," Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, said in a news reprieve from the group.

"A premature birth costs businesses approximately 12 times as much as uncomplicated healthy birth. As a consequences, premature birth is a major driver of health insurance costs not lonely for employers," she noted.

The preterm birth rate in the United States peaked in 2006 at 12.8 percent after climbing steadily for greater than two decades, according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Almost the complete one states had degrade preterm birth rates in 2012 plus than than compared to 2006.

Blacks had the highest preterm birth rate in 2012, at 16.5 percent. That was the length of from 18.5 percent in 2006 and was the lowest in following more 20 years. While the gap amid blacks and whites has slowly narrowed, the preterm birth rate along amid blacks is once more 1.5 era again in the middle of whites.

The report with assessed states' press on in reducing risk factors for preterm birth and found the gone:

37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico condensed the percentage of uninsured women of childbearing age.
35 states and the District of Columbia condensed the percentage of women of childbearing age who smoke.
28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico lowered the late preterm birth rate (infants born along with 34 and 36 weeks gestation).

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