Premature birth rates in US remain at historic high, report finds

Rate in 2023 remains at 10.4% due to chronic conditions, inadequate prenatal care and racial disparities

Premature birth rates in the US remain at a historic high, according to a new report.

On Thursday, March of Dimes, a maternal health nonprofit organization, released its latest findings which say that the national premature birth rate of 2023 remains at 10.4%, largely due to chronic conditions, inadequate prenatal care and racial disparities. In contrast, the premature birth rate 10 years ago was at 9.6%.