Premature Births in the US: Rate of Each State

march-of-dimes-premature-birth-report-united-states-111101b-02
(Image credit: Karl Tate, MyHealthNewsDaily)

Vermont leads the nation in terms of preventing preterm birth, according to a new report from the March of Dimes.

Preterm birth , or birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifelong health challenges, according to a 2006 Institute of Medicine report.

Here's a look at how each state fared, according to the report:

EMBED THIS GRAPHIC ON YOUR SITE

<a href="http://www.livescience.com/35947-preterm-birth-rates-us-states.html">((ImgTag</a> ))<br> Source <a href="http://www.livescience.com/35947-preterm-birth-rates-us-states.html"> MyHealthNewsDaily.com: Your guide to wellness.</a>

Karl Tate
LiveScience Infographic Artist
Karl has been Purch's infographics specialist across all editorial properties since 2010.  Before joining Purch, Karl spent 11 years at the New York headquarters of The Associated Press, creating news graphics for use around the world in newspapers and on the web.  He has a degree in graphic design from Louisiana State University.