SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Though the preterm birth rate in Georgia was lower in 2023, the state still received an F, the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card said.
The purpose of the March of Dimes Report Cards is to highlight key indicators that describe the current state of maternal and infant health, as stated on their website. Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) reported.
The state of Georgia received a rate of 11.8, which is one decimal lower than 2022 but 2.4 percent higher than the U.S. rate. Anything equal to or over 11.5% is a failing preterm birth grade.
Chatham County also received an F, with a 12.8% rate, even though the county's rate improved from the previous year.
Justice Department says jail conditions in Georgia’s Fulton County violate detainee rights
March of Dimes said that birthing people in Georgia are most vulnerable to poor outcomes due to general health care and physical health.
The preterm birth rate among babies born to Black people was reported to be 1.4 times higher than the rate among other races, March of Dimes reported. The infant mortality rate among babies born to Black people is also 1.4 times higher than the state rate, they said.
The infant mortality rate has also increased in the last decade, they said, with 893 babies dying before turning 1. The leading causes of infant death in order are birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidents.
Chronic health conditions like smoking, hypertension, unhealthy weight and diabetes also make people more likely to have a preterm birth, March of Dimes reported.
March of Dimes pointed to policies and funding to improve maternal and infant health care.
They said that Georgia does extend coverage for women to one year postpartum under Medicaid extension and a State Medicaid program that requires and reimburses for postpartum mental health screening but lacks in other areas.
This includes a lack of Medicaid expansion, a doula reimbursement policy, requirements for employers to have a paid option while parents are out on parental leave and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded review committee.