March of Dimes has released its report on premature births in the USA, giving each state an A through F rating. The USA overall received a D rating. Many times premature births lead to disabilities. You can see how your state ranks on the March of Dimes Web page.From the Kansas City Star:
Missouri received an F and Kansas a D on the premature-birth report cards released today by the March of Dimes.
“Kansas, with a preterm birth rate of 12.2 percent, lags behind in preventing premature birth while Missouri, at 13.3 percent, faces a crisis level that is driving up health care costs and special education budgets,” the report said.
The March of Dimes urged both states “to take immediate action to prevent more death and life-long disabilities.”
The nation received a D. No state earned an A.
The March of Dimes said babies who survive a premature birth face the risk of serious life-long health problems including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss and other chronic conditions.
