U.S. Pregnancy Health Stagnates as March of Dimes Reports D+ Grade

The United States has once again received a low grade for pregnancy health, according to the March of Dimes’ 2025 Report Card. The nation earned a D+ for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting ongoing challenges in maternal and infant health. The report reveals that 10.4% of babies were born prematurely in 2024, equating to nearly 380,000 premature births. This rate is among the highest in developed nations.

Dr. Michael Warren, the chief medical and health officer of March of Dimes, expressed his frustration at the stagnation in improving pregnancy health. “As a clinician who has seen how much is possible when we get it right, these data are deeply frustrating,” Dr. Warren stated. He emphasized that the medical community has known about the risk factors contributing to preterm birth for years, including previous preterm births, chronic diseases, and disparities in access to healthcare.

Maternal and Infant Health Concerns

The report card also highlighted that infant mortality rates remained stable at 5.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, with over 20,000 infants dying before reaching their first birthday in 2023. Cindy Rahman, president and CEO of March of Dimes, noted that while the progress on preterm births has stalled, the country is also losing ground in other critical areas affecting maternal and infant health.

The disparities in health outcomes are particularly concerning for specific racial and ethnic groups. The report indicated that Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander mothers face maternal mortality rates that are two to three times higher than those of White mothers during and after pregnancy. Rahman remarked, “Our country is stuck in a maternal and infant health crisis where too many families are being forgotten.”

Addressing Systemic Inequities

The March of Dimes report calls for urgent action to address systemic inequities impacting families of color and those covered by Medicaid. “We must confront the systemic inequities that leave families of color and those covered by Medicaid at higher risk, improve access to early prenatal care, and tackle the growing burden of chronic disease—because every mom and baby deserves the chance for a healthy start,” Rahman emphasized.

The findings of the March of Dimes’ report serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in the United States regarding pregnancy health. The organization urges policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to work collaboratively to implement solutions that can improve health outcomes for mothers and infants across the nation. Failure to act may result in continued stagnation, putting more families at risk in the years to come.