Thanks to improvements in health care, policy changes, and groundbreaking research surrounding prematurity prevention, the preterm birth rate in the United States has declined for the sixth consecutive year according to March of Dimes. In 2012 the preterm birth rate was 11.54% of all births in the US, the lowest it’s been in the last 15 years!
Since 2006 there has been a 10% reduction in preterm births, a trend that moves us closer to the March of Dimes goal of 9.6%. A preterm birth costs nearly 12 times as much as a healthy, uncomplicated birth, a cost that is shouldered by families, employers and taxpayers alike. With 176,000 fewer children born prematurely in the last six years, the US has saved $9 billion in health and other costs. I’d say we’re on the right track!
The LRN Group 