Annual report sparks concerns for maternal & infant health
JACKSON, Tenn. — In honor of World Prematurity Day, new findings reveal concerns over the country’s state of maternal and infant health.
For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. has earned a D+ in the March of Dimes Report Card. This data assesses maternal and infant health across a number of categories.
Tennessee also received a grade “D” with a preterm birth rate of 10.9%.
“Pre-term birth is a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, and we know that infant mortality rates have historically been high in Tennessee, and so, this report card is an important wake up call that we can’t take our foot off the gas, we’ve got to continue to try to improve birth outcomes,” said Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical & Health Officer, March of Dimes.
In Tennessee, 32.6% of counties are considered maternity care deserts, significantly contributing to the maternal and infant health crisis.
Dr. Warren suggests improving access to healthcare within rural communities.
“There’s actually been a decrease in the percentage of women smoking during pregnancy, and it’s exciting to see that translating to a decrease in pre-term birth, as well,” Dr. Warren said.
The report saw a decrease in the 2025 pre-term birth rate in Tennessee compared to last year. Dr. Warren attributes that to the TN Department of Health’s focus on preventing smoking during pregnancy.
One concerning factor in the report shows racial disparities worsening in the U.S.
“It should not be the case in the United States in 2025 that people of color have worse birth outcomes,” said Dr. Warren. “We need to double down. We need to look at what are the root causes of that in communities across the country and make sure that every mom is healthy.”
The report also showed a decline in prenatal care as fewer women began care in the first trimester.
To learn more about the 2025 report card, click here and here.
For more local news, click here.
