US preterm birth rate drops to 15-year low

The United States' preterm birth rate dropped for the sixth year in 2012 to 11.5 percent, a 15-year low. The nation again earned a "C" on the Report Card. Alaska, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont earned an "A." The March of Dimes estimated that, since 2006, about 176,000 fewer babies have been born too soon because of improvement in the preterm birth rate, potentially saving about $9 billion in health and societal costs.

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