For the third year running, Utah earned a “C” from the March of Dimes for its preterm birth rate. In 2009, 11.3 percent of the state’s newborns were delivered prematurely, before 37 weeks gestation, according to the report card released on Tuesday. That’s down slightly from 2006, when the March of Dimes began analyzing birth data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Utah received a “D” that year.
But “we have room to improve” before reaching the March of Dimes’ goal of a preterm rate of 9.6 percent, said Julie Drake, director of program services at the organization’s Utah chapter.
How does Utah compare?
Preterm birth rates vary across the country. Utah is just below the national average rate of 12.2 percent.
1. Vermont » 9.3 percent
5. Idaho » 10.1 percent
19. Colorado » 11.3 percent
20. Utah » 11.3 percent
50. Mississippi » 18 percent
Source: March of Dimes 2011 Premature Birth Report Card
To read the entire article by Kirsten Stewart, go to http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/52818650-183/percent-utah-preterm-rate.html.csp
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