US Preterm Birth Rate Is Alarmingly High, March Of Dimes Report Shows

USA Today: On Preterm Labor, U.S. Gets Failing Grade (Again) In New Report
The U.S. has landed another poor grade when it comes to preterm births, with festering disparities in outcomes for Black and Native women that are life-threatening, according to a new annual report. Preterm birth, when babies are born before 37 weeks gestation, is among the leading causes of infant death in the U.S., according to the March of Dimes. Outcomes across the country improved only slightly this year. ...The March of Dimes gave the U.S. a D+ grade in its “State of Maternal and Infant Health for American Families” report card published Thursday. (Cuevas, 11/16)

Stat: Premature Births: Study Finds The Rate Remains Alarmingly High In U.S.
Preterm births and infant mortality are at alarming levels in the U.S., according to a new report published on Thursday by March of Dimes. In 2022, 10.4% of all babies were born premature — before 37 weeks of gestation — a slight improvement after the decade-high 10.5% peak of 2021, but still higher than the global average of 9.9%. This makes the U.S. the country with the highest risk of preterm birth among its wealthy peers: In the U.K., for instance, the rate is 7.6%; in Italy, it’s 6.8%; in Japan, it was around 5%. (Merelli, 11/17)

More on pregnancy and birth —

News Service of Florida: Florida Lawmakers To Consider Starting A Website On Pregnancy And Parenting
Two Republican lawmakers filed identical proposals Monday that would lead to the state setting up a website to provide information about issues such as maternal health services, prenatal and postnatal services and adoption services. Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, and Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, filed the bills (SB 436 and HB 415) for consideration during the 2024 legislative session, which will start in January. (11/16)

KFF Health News: Most States Ban Shackling Pregnant Women In Custody, Yet Many Report Being Restrained 
Ashley Denney was about seven months pregnant in 2022 when police handcuffed her during an arrest in Carroll County, Georgia. Officers shackled her even though the state bans the use of restraints on pregnant women in custody beginning at the second trimester. In early July, she said, it happened again. (Rayasam, 11/17)

In abortion updates —

AP: Lawyers For Religious Leaders Challenging Missouri Abortion Ban Say Law Imposes Beliefs On Everyone
Missouri lawmakers intended to “impose their religious beliefs on everyone” in the state when they passed a restrictive abortion ban, lawyers for a group of religious leaders who support abortion rights said at a court hearing Thursday. But attorneys for the state countered that just because some supporters of the law oppose abortion on religious grounds doesn’t mean that the law forces their beliefs on anyone else. (Salter, 11/16)

Axios: Planned Parenthood To Invest In Ohio Following Abortion Amendment 
Erica Wilson-Domer, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, said the amendment will enable Planned Parenthood to make investments in staffing and facilities it has previously put off, including exploring adding facilities near the state's borders. "It has been incredibly challenging to staff for abortion services and recruit providers to the state given the [previous] restrictions," Wilson-Domer said. (Smith, 11/17)

CNN: GOP Senators’ Late Night Effort To Approve Military Nominations Fails To Overcome Tuberville And Lee Hold
Republican Senators Tommy Tuberville and Mike Lee maintained the Alabama Republican’s hold on military nominations because of the Pentagon's abortion policy despite a group of Republican senators who attempted to push through nominations when they returned to the Senate floor in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Sens. Dan Sullivan, Joni Ernst, Lindsay Graham and Todd Young began their effort to confirm nominees around 12:15a.m. ET and wrapped around 3:45a.m. ET. (Rimmer, 11/16)