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Washington, D.C. Earns F Grade in the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card

On November 17, 2025, the March of Dimes unveiled its 2025 Report Card on maternal and infant health, revealing a disturbing truth about Washington, D.C. The District received an F grade due to its preterm birth rate hitting 11.8%. This places it 45th out of 52 regions surveyed, including all states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The findings were announced on World Prematurity Day, a day aimed at raising awareness about preterm birth and its implications.

The D.C. area has experienced a staggering 9% increase in its preterm birth rate compared to the previous year, marking the largest rise among all states and territories. This significant uptick signals a concerning trend of worsening birth outcomes. Particularly alarming is the disparity in outcomes for Black mothers, who face a preterm birth rate of 14.5%, a stark contrast to 7.0% for their White counterparts. In addition, the report highlighted a troubling infant mortality rate of 7.0 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Moreover, nearly one in four babies (23.0%) are born to mothers receiving inadequate prenatal care, further compounding the problem.

The surrounding region, including Maryland and Virginia, exhibited varied results. Maryland received a D+ grade with a preterm birth rate of 10.5%, while Virginia secured a C- with a 10.1% rate. Although there have been slight improvements in these neighboring states, the overall grim picture of maternal and infant health in the DMV area underscores ongoing racial disparities and the extended crisis in maternal wellbeing.

National Context

Nationwide, the situation remains dire. The U.S. overall received a D+ in the report, showing no improvement from previous assessments. The preterm birth rate was recorded at 10.4%, which continues its trend as the historically lowest grade. Alarmingly, babies born to mothers enrolled in Medicaid face a preterm birth rate of 11.7%, compared to 9.6% for those with private insurance. Additionally, the crisis disproportionately affects Black mothers, whose preterm birth rate climbed to 14.7%, a 1.5 times higher rate than their peers.

Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes, expressed his frustration over the persistent inequities in maternal health. Stressing the established risk factors that contribute to preterm birth, he asserted that the unchanged national rate highlights the need for enhanced commitment to research and improved policies. Only through such measures can meaningful change happen to mitigate these long-standing disparities.

Collaborative Efforts in D.C.

In response to these alarming trends, March of Dimes has initiated several support programs targeting maternal and infant health instability. In the D.C. metro area, their Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® provide critical prenatal and postpartum care to communities with limited access to healthcare services. Furthermore, their NICU Family Support® programs in local hospitals are designed to assist families navigating the complexities of premature births and the challenges of neonatal care.

March of Dimes also spearheads the DMV Maternal and Infant Health Equity Coalition, which collaborates with stakeholders from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to advocate for patient-centered care, improve the maternal workforce, and promote policies aimed at enhancing outcomes for families in need.

Dr. Elizabeth Kielb, Director of Maternal and Infant Health at March of Dimes, emphasized the organization’s commitment to meeting families where they are, whether in hospitals or community health settings. Her focus reflects an understanding that every data point represents real families affected by these health disparities.

Despite the considerable challenges faced in D.C., March of Dimes continues to coalesce efforts in the surrounding region. Maryland displays slight improvements in its preterm birth rate due to better access to prenatal care. Similarly, Virginia showcases progress in addressing severe maternal morbidity and encouraging early healthcare access, partly aided by the influential Virginia Momnibus, which fosters critical investments in mobile health and maternal health frameworks.

The Road Ahead

Nationally, March of Dimes remains dedicated to advocating for robust policies targeting the maternal health crisis. This includes championing initiatives like the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act, which underpins vital investments in maternal health research and expanded postpartum coverage through Medicaid.

As the 2025 Report Card highlights the troubling status of maternal and infant health across the U.S., March of Dimes is steadfast in its mission to enhance access to care and safeguard the health of all mothers and babies. Families deserve the utmost support and a healthy start in life, and the organization’s ongoing work aims to foster such possibilities in the face of adversity.

The complete 2025 Report Card, along with detailed state-by-state evaluations and recommendations, can be found at marchofdimes.org/reportcard.

About March of Dimes

Founded in 1938, March of Dimes is a leading advocate for the health of all moms and babies in the United States. The organization promotes research, education, and policy reform and provides essential services, ensuring every family receives the best possible start.