St. Louis, MO (KSDK) - The national premature birth rate reached the lowest it's been in a decade. Still, the March of Dimes has given the United States a 'C' grade in its annual premature birth report card.
In 2011, the pre-term birth rate was 11.7-percent, down from a high of 12.8-percent in 2006.
Just four states earned an 'A' for their preemie prevention efforts: Oregon, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The territory of Puerto Rico and three states received 'F' grades: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Missouri and Illinois both earned a 'C' grade.
The full report card can be viewed on the March of Dimes website.
KSDK