Statement by Edward R.B. McCabe, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the March of Dimes
White Plains, NY | Thursday, June 02, 2016
For the first time in eight years, the national preterm birth rate has increased rather than decreased, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The 2015 preliminary preterm birth rate for the U.S. was up slightly, to 9.62 percent from 9.57 percent in 2014.
This is a wake-up call. Even a slight increase in preterm birth is unacceptable for the nation’s babies. We cannot become complacent about preventing premature birth. We have made considerable progress, but that progress can be eroded all too easily.
In addition to the slight increase in the overall rate, preterm birth rates rose among African-American babies (13.23 percent to 13.39 percent) and Hispanic babies (9.02 percent to 9.13 percent). We must redouble our efforts to address health inequities, implement known interventions that reduce preterm birth, and continue to engage our nationwide network of researchers to give every baby a fighting chance.
About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.
For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit persistats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.