The U.S. again received a “D+” grade in March of Dimes’ annual report card on maternal and infant health.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the U.S. has received a “D+”, pointing to stalled progress in addressing longstanding health disparities and access gaps in maternal health. In 2025, 10.4% of babies were born preterm — a meager improvement from the all-time high of a 10.5% the nation saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit organization gave each state a letter grade for its preterm birth rate. Overall, rates improved in 19 states from 2024-25. Rates worsened in 21 states and Washington, D.C. New Hampshire was the only state to earn an “A” grade.
How March of Dimes graded each state on preterm birth rates:
Alabama: F
Alaska: C
Arizona: C
Arkansas: F
California: B-
Colorado: C
Connecticut: C
Delaware: D+
Florida: D+
Georgia: F
Hawaii: C
Idaho: B-
Illinois: D+
Indiana: D
Iowa: C-
Kansas: C-
Kentucky: F
Louisiana: F
Maine: C
Maryland: D+
Massachusetts: B
Michigan: D+
Minnesota: C
Mississippi: F
Missouri: D
Montana: C+
Nebraska: D
Nevada: D
New Hampshire: A-
New Jersey: C+
New Mexico: C
New York: C+
North Carolina: D+
North Dakota: C+
Ohio: D
Oklahoma: D
Oregon: B
Pennsylvania: C
Rhode Island: B-
South Carolina: F
South Dakota: D-
Tennessee: D
Texas: D
Utah: C+
Vermont: B+
Virginia: C-
Washington: B-
West Virginia: F
Wisconsin: C
Wyoming: D+
Access the full 2025 March of Dimes Report Card here.
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