March of Dimes Report Highlights Major Health Concerns in Alabama for Mothers and Infants

Alabama's Maternal and Infant Health Crisis: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Report Card

In the recently released 2025 Report Card by March of Dimes, Alabama has been given a failing grade, reflecting urgent concerns in maternal and infant health across the state. This report showcases the complicated landscape of health metrics that greatly impact mothers and their newborns.

On World Prematurity Day, March of Dimes revealed that Alabama's preterm birth rate stands alarmingly at 12.7%, ranking the state 49th out of 52 entities, which includes all U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. This figure corresponds to roughly 7,379 babies born preterm in 2024, although there has been a slight improvement from previous years. The organization evaluates numerous critical indicators, including prenatal care accessibility and other maternal health metrics, that provides an insightful overview of the challenges mothers face in Alabama.

In recent years, while the state has seen progress in reducing low-risk Cesarean deliveries and maternal mortality rates, significant challenges persist. Alarmingly, Alabama has one of the highest rates of infant mortality nationally, reported at approximately 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The issue is exacerbated by inadequate prenatal care, with nearly 19.3% of mothers not receiving essential services during their pregnancies. Particularly concerning is the persistent racial disparity; Black mothers face a preterm birth rate of 18.4%, compared to 11.5% for their White counterparts.

Nationally, the maternal and infant health crisis continues, as reflected in the overall statistics. The U.S. scored a D+ for its preterm birth rate, maintaining a disturbing trend for the fourth consecutive year with a rate of 10.4%. Notably, babies born to Medicaid-insured mothers have a preterm birth rate of 11.7%—higher than the 9.6% among those with private insurance. Disparities are growing, especially for Black mothers, whose preterm birth rates have risen to 14.7%, 1.5 times that of other infants.

Dr. Michael Warren, the Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes, expressed his frustration regarding these findings, asserting that while adequate measures have long been known, the unwavering statistics are a wake-up call. The focus should now be on increasing research investment, expanding maternity care access, and instituting better policy measures that can protect radiant lives.

In light of these grim findings, March of Dimes stands at the forefront of efforts to combat preterm birth. The organization is keen on expanding its Prematurity Research Centers and operates innovative Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers®, which aim to deliver accessible prenatal and postpartum care directly to underprivileged communities. They also advocate for the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act to ensure consistent funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees. This act is critical as it highlights the necessity of ongoing maternal support beyond childbirth to elevate long-term health metrics.

Honour Hill, the Director of Maternal and Infant Health in Alabama for March of Dimes, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these hardships. Many families in Alabama encounter barriers when accessing consistent and quality prenatal and postpartum care, which significantly impacts maternal and child health outcomes. To counter this deficiency, March of Dimes is collaborating with various stakeholders, including Alabama Medicaid, local health departments, and community leaders, to offer solutions that enhance care quality.

Given that nearly 42% of all births in Alabama are covered by Medicaid, the partnership aims to bridge service gaps, improve overall health outcomes for families, and ensure equitable care delivery to all.

This 2025 Report Card sheds light on an unsettling status quo in Alabama's maternal and infant health sphere and underscores the imperative need for strategic interventions. March of Dimes remains committed to amplifying research, enhancing care access, and advocating for robust policies to safeguard the health of every mother and child in the region. For more information, the complete 2025 Report Card, along with recommendations and state-specific grades, can be accessed at the March of Dimes website.