The ranking is based on 2017 birthing data from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics Reports. Preterm births are defined as infants born before 37 weeks.
In total, there were 382,726 premature births among U.S. women of all races in 2017, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Here’s how each state stacks up:
- California — 40,907 preterm births in 2017
- Texas — 40,403
- Florida — 22,851
- New York — 20,607
- Illinois — 15,551
- Georgia — 14,756
- Ohio — 14,168
- Pennsylvania — 12,969
- North Carolina — 12,591
- Michigan — 11,406
- New Jersey — 9,613
- Virginia — 9,582
- Tennessee — 8,962
- Indiana — 8,087
- Louisiana — 7,725
- Missouri — 7,702
- Arizona — 7,578
- Maryland — 7,491
- Washington — 7,334
- Alabama — 7,090
- South Carolina — 6,396
- Massachusetts — 6,272
- Wisconsin — 6,260
- Minnesota — 6,111
- Kentucky — 6,092
- Colorado — 5,638
- Oklahoma — 5,592
- Mississippi — 5,061
- Utah — 4,588
- Arkansas — 4,268
- Nevada — 3,833
- Oregon — 3,640
- Iowa — 3,524
- Kansas — 3,495
- Connecticut — 3,338
- Nebraska — 2,556
- New Mexico — 2,435
- West Virginia — 2,237
- Idaho — 1,941
- Hawaii — 1,829
- South Dakota — 1,125
- Montana — 1,118
- Delaware — 1,108
- Maine — 1,066
- New Hampshire — 1,010
- North Dakota — 944
- Alaska — 937
- Rhode Island — 882
- Wyoming — 616
- Vermont — 425
More articles on rankings and ratings:
20 healthcare CEOs with best employee reviews on Glassdoor
National healthcare scorecard: Where does your state rank?
10 best children’s hospitals, ranked by US News
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
