The U.S. continues to grapple with high rates of preterm births, earning a D+ in the March of Dimes' latest report on maternal and infant health. The findings highlight significant racial and geographic disparities, with Latina women and those in states with large Hispanic populations facing some of the most serious challenges.
In 2023, 10.4% of births in the U.S. occurred before 37 weeks of gestation, amounting to roughly 370,000 preterm births. Among Hispanic women, the rate was slightly lower at 10.1%, but disparities remain stark across racial and ethnic groups. Black women experienced a 14.7% preterm birth rate, the highest of any group, followed by Native American and Pacific Islander women at 12.4%.
The report also linked rising preterm births to increasing infant mortality, which rose in 2022 for the first time in 20 years. Nationally, 5.6 deaths occurred per 1,000 births, with higher rates in Hispanic-heavy states like Arizona (6.2 per 1,000 births), Florida (6), and New Mexico (5.9). Experts cite a lack of access to prenatal care, underlying health conditions like diabetes, and environmental factors as key drivers of these outcomes.
"Every family and every pregnant person deserves accessible and adequate health care, for the benefit of the pregnancy and us all," said Yadira Tabales, maternal and infant health manager for Puerto Rico at March of Dimes, as reported by Axios.
Tabales pointed to measures that could improve outcomes, such as licensing midwives and expanding mobile clinics in underserved areas. California and Colorado, which received higher grades in the report, have implemented such policies. Addressing complications like preeclampsia with preventive treatments, including low-dose aspirin for at-risk patients, could also help.
Hispanic women face unique risks. Pre-pregnancy diabetes among Latinas is 1.2 times higher than the national average, according to CDC data. When coupled with limited access to care, this condition often worsens during pregnancy, leading to preterm births and other complications.
Environmental factors also disproportionately impact Black and Latino communities, where proximity to highways and fewer green spaces exacerbate exposure to heat and smog. Studies show these conditions contribute to low birth weights and other adverse outcomes.
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