U.S. Faces Continued Maternal and Infant Health Crisis in 2025

The United States continues to grapple with significant challenges in maternal and infant health, according to the latest findings from the March of Dimes. In its 2025 Report Card, released on November 17, the nation received a D+ grade for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting a persistent preterm birth rate of 10.4%. This statistic translates to approximately 380,000 babies born prematurely in 2024, representing one in ten births across the country.

The data reveal alarming trends, particularly regarding racial disparities and access to care. The preterm birth rate among infants born to Black mothers has escalated to 14.7%, nearly 1.5 times higher than the overall national rate. Furthermore, babies born to mothers covered by Medicaid face a preterm birth rate of 11.7%, in contrast to 9.6% for those with private insurance.

Concerning Trends in Maternal Health

The report underscores a troubling decline in prenatal care, with 24.5% of pregnant individuals not initiating care in the first trimester—a trend that has persisted for four years. Additionally, chronic health conditions among pregnant individuals are on the rise, with increases in hypertension by 6% and diabetes by 8%, both of which are known risk factors for premature births. Despite these alarming figures, the infant mortality rate remained unchanged at 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, resulting in over 20,000 infant deaths in 2023.

Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer of March of Dimes, expressed deep frustration at the stagnation of progress in maternal and infant health. “We have known about risk factors for preterm birth, including a prior history of preterm birth, chronic disease, and unequal access to care, for years,” he stated. “That the national rate remains unchanged while disparities continue to widen means we must deepen our commitment to research, expand maternity care access, and push for better policies that protect our nation’s moms and babies.”

Disparities and State-by-State Analysis

While some states showed improvement, the overall picture remains grim. Nineteen states improved their preterm birth rates, with South Dakota leading the way with a 10% decrease. In contrast, 21 states experienced worsening rates, with notable increases in Washington, D.C. (up 8%) and several other states, including Ohio and Kentucky.

The report also noted a fragile maternal health landscape; maternal mortality decreased to 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Nonetheless, disparities persisted, with Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander mothers facing mortality rates two to three times higher than their White counterparts. Over 30,000 women encounter severe complications annually during pregnancy.

Cindy Rahman, President and CEO of March of Dimes, emphasized the urgency of addressing systemic inequities. “This year’s Report Card shows that while we remain stalled in our progress on preterm birth, we are also losing ground in other critical areas of maternal and infant health,” she said. “Our country is stuck in a maternal and infant health crisis where too many families are being forgotten.”

March of Dimes is actively pursuing a multipronged strategy to combat these challenges. The organization is expanding its Prematurity Research Centers and has begun operating Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers®, which provide prenatal and postpartum care directly within communities that lack access. They are also advocating for critical policies such as the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, which aims to maintain funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees, and the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act to renew federal investment in research and data.

In addition to these efforts, March of Dimes is focused on enhancing access to doulas and midwives, strengthening telehealth initiatives in rural areas, and addressing the structural racism contributing to disparities in maternal and infant outcomes.

With the 2025 Report Card reaffirming the United States’ precarious status in maternal and infant health, March of Dimes remains committed to advancing research, expanding access to essential care, and advocating for policies that ensure the health and safety of mothers and their babies.

For further details, the full 2025 Report Card, which includes state-by-state and city-level data, as well as trend analyses, can be accessed at marchofdimes.org/reportcard.