America's Pregnancy Health: Stuck in a Rut

The United States continues to face significant challenges in pregnancy health, according to a recent report. For the fourth consecutive year, the country has received a D+ grade, indicating that one out of every 10 babies is born prematurely. In 2024, nearly 380,000 babies were born prematurely, a rate that remains one of the highest among developed nations.

Disparities Among Groups

The situation is worsening for certain demographics:

• Black mothers experience a preterm birth rate nearly 50% higher than the average.
• Women on Medicaid face higher risks, with a preterm birth rate of nearly 12%, compared to under 10% for those with private insurance.

Prenatal Care Concerns

Prenatal care remains a critical issue:

• Fewer than 25% of pregnant women began care in the first trimester, marking the fourth straight year of decline.
• Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are on the rise among pregnant women.

Infant Mortality Rates

Infant mortality remains stable at 5.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, yet over 20,000 babies still die before their first birthday. Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander mothers face significantly higher risks, dying at two to three times the rate of White mothers during and after pregnancy.

Call to Action

Experts warn that the country is in a maternal and infant health crisis. They emphasize the need to:

• Address systemic inequities
• Improve access to early prenatal care
• Tackle chronic diseases

"Every mom and baby deserves a healthy start."