How Did Vermont Get the Best Maternal Health Score in the US?
AJMC November 26, 2024
Key Takeaways
- Vermont achieved the highest ranking in maternal and infant health with a preterm birth rate of 7.7%, the lowest in the nation.
- Contributing factors include low rates of low-risk cesarean births and inadequate prenatal care, alongside Medicaid expansion.
- Racial and ethnic disparities persist, with Hispanic birthing people experiencing higher preterm birth rates than other groups.
- Vermont could improve outcomes by addressing gaps in midwifery support, postpartum mental health care, and parental leave policies.
State-level maternal health scores varied greatly in the 2024 March of Dimes report card, with Vermont getting the only A grade on preterm birth rates.
Vermont emerged as a leader in maternal and infant health in the latest March of Dimes report card,...