US Preterm Births: 'D' Is for Dismal

The document reported that the United States received a "D" grade from the March of Dimes for its high rate of preterm births, with over 540,000 infants born annually before 37 weeks of gestation. Despite clear solutions like reducing smoking rates among pregnant women and improving access to prenatal care, the underlying causes of prematurity were not well understood, highlighting the complexity of the issue. The report emphasized the need for further research and intervention to address this significant public health concern.