The United States has again received a low grade for pregnancy health. The March of Dimes’ 2025 Report Card shows the nation earned a D+ for the fourth year in a row. The main reason is the continued rise in premature births. In 2024, 10.4% of babies were born early, which adds up to nearly 380,000 infants. This rate remains one of the highest among developed countries.
Dr. Michael Warren, the organization’s chief medical and health officer, said the findings are disappointing. He noted that the major risk factors for preterm birth — such as chronic illness, past preterm births, and limited access to medical care — have been well-known for years.
The report highlights several growing concerns:
Racial disparities are widening. Preterm birth rates among Black mothers are almost 50% higher than the national average.
Insurance gaps persist. Women on Medicaid have a preterm birth rate of nearly 12%, compared with under 10% for women with private insurance.
Early prenatal care is declining. Fewer than one in four pregnant women began prenatal care in the first trimester, marking the fourth year of decline.
Chronic conditions are rising. Rates of high blood pressure increased by 6%, and diabetes rose by 8% among pregnant women.
Infant mortality remains unchanged. The rate stayed at 5.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, with more than 20,000 infants dying before their first birthday in 2023.
Cindy Rahman, president and CEO of the March of Dimes, said the U.S. is losing ground in several key areas of maternal and infant health. She stressed that Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander mothers die at two to three times the rate of White mothers during or after pregnancy.
Rahman said the nation is “stuck in a maternal and infant health crisis” and called for stronger action. She urged leaders to address systemic inequities, improve access to early prenatal care, and better manage chronic disease. According to Rahman, every mother and baby should have the chance to begin life healthy and safe.
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