In its annual report card on maternal and infant health, March of Dimes gave the U.S. a "D+" for its high preterm birth rate, which is one of the leading causes of infant death. Overall, 10.4% of all babies born in the U.S. were preterm in 2022, a minimal improvement from the all-time high of 10.5% in 2021.
The nonprofit organization gave each state a letter grade for its preterm birth rate. Overall, rates increased in 14 states and Washington, D.C., from 2021-22. No state earned an "A" grade.
Eight states earned a "B" grade; 18 states earned a "C" grade; 15 earned a "D" grade and eight got an "F."
How March of Dimes graded each state on preterm birth rates:
Alabama: F
Alaska: C
Arizona: C
Arkansas: F
California: B-
Colorado: C
Connecticut: C+
Delaware: D
Florida: D+
Georgia: F
Hawaii: C
Idaho: B
Illinois: D+
Indiana: D
Iowa: C-
Kansas: D+
Kentucky: F
Louisiana: F
Maine: C+
Maryland: C-
Massachusetts: B-
Michigan: D+
Minnesota: C+
Mississippi: F
Missouri: D-
Montana: C
Nebraska: D-
Nevada: D
New Hampshire: B+
New Jersey: C+
New Mexico: C-
New York: C+
North Carolina: D+
North Dakota: C-
Ohio: D
Oklahoma: D-
Oregon: B
Pennsylvania: C+
Rhode Island: B-
South Carolina: F
South Dakota: D+
Tennessee: D
Texas: D-
Utah: C+
Vermont: B
Virginia: C
Washington: B
West Virginia: F
Wisconsin: C-
Wyoming: D+
Access the full 2023 March of Dimes Report Card here.