California Lowers Premature Birth Rate to National Goal of 9.6%
In 2012, California's premature birth rate decreased from 9.8% to the national goal of 9.6%, making it one of only four states to do so, according to a new report by the March of Dimes, HealthyCal reports.
The other states are:
- Alaska;
- Maine; and
- Oregon (HealthyCal, 11/1).
Additional Findings
California received an "A" grade on the March of Dimes' "Premature Birth Report Card."
According to the report, the state made progress on two indicators of healthy births:
- Reducing the rate of uninsured women from 25.3% to 23.8%; and
- Reducing the rate of late pre-term births from 7.1% to 6.9%.
However, the rate of California women who reported that they were smokers increased from 10.4% to 11% (March of Dimes report, October 2013).
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