Ohio's Low Maternal Health Grade: Insights from the March of Dimes 2025 Report
On November 17, 2025, the March of Dimes released its 2025 Report Card, highlighting significant maternal and infant health issues across the United States, with Ohio receiving a troubling D grade for its preterm birth rate, which stands at 11.0%. This statistic places Ohio at 37th among all states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico when it comes to the health of mothers and infants. Notably, this report coincides with World Prematurity Day, a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in this domain.
The findings of the report indicate a worrying increase in Ohio's preterm birth rates when compared to 2023, signifying a change that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, the state has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation, with 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, ranking 48th overall. Racial disparities are starkly evident as well; infants born to Black mothers in Ohio experience a preterm birth rate of 14.6%, in contrast to 10.0% for White mothers.
On a national level, the United States is grappling with a maternal and infant health crisis. The national preterm birth rate, at 10.4%, has earned the country a grade of D+ for the fourth consecutive year. Alarmingly, babies born to mothers covered by Medicaid are facing a preterm birth rate of 11.7%, significantly higher than the 9.6% rate for those with private insurance. Moreover, the preterm birth rate among Black mothers climbed to 14.7%, a staggering one and a half times that of their counterparts.
Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes, expressed his dismay regarding the stagnant rates and growing disparities, despite our collective understanding of the risk factors involved. He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced commitment to research, improved access to maternity care, and advocacy for policies that nurture the health of moms and babies.Challenges persist in Ohio, and March of Dimes is taking a proactive stance to counter these health risks. The organization has implemented initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and promoting significant research dedicated to ensuring healthier pregnancies. Among their efforts are two Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® that deliver prenatal and postpartum care to communities that otherwise might lack sufficient maternity care services.
The Ohio Collaborative Prematurity Research Center exemplifies March of Dimes' commitment to addressing preterm birth causes through a collaborative effort among esteemed universities and health institutions. This partnership seeks to devise new prevention strategies that can impact the demographics hardest hit by the preterm birth crisis. Bianca Holder, Manager of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives in Ohio, emphasized the need for universal access to quality care, asserting that every mother and baby, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves the opportunity for a healthy start.
To fortify their advocacy efforts at the national level, March of Dimes is pushing for policies that enhance the maternal health environment, such as the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, aimed at ensuring ongoing funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees, the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act, and enhanced Medicaid postpartum coverage for mothers post-birth.
The troubling 2025 Report Card indicates that the status quo for maternal and infant health in the United States is perilous. In response, March of Dimes continues to champion research, improve care access, and influence policies designed to safeguard the health of every mother and child.
For a comprehensive look at the 2025 Report Card, state-by-state grades, and recommendations for improvement, visit marchofdimes.org/reportcard. March of Dimes, established in 1938, is dedicated to the health of all mothers and babies through research, education, advocacy, programs, and services that support families aiming for the best possible start in life. For further details, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org.
The findings of the report indicate a worrying increase in Ohio's preterm birth rates when compared to 2023, signifying a change that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, the state has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation, with 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, ranking 48th overall. Racial disparities are starkly evident as well; infants born to Black mothers in Ohio experience a preterm birth rate of 14.6%, in contrast to 10.0% for White mothers.
On a national level, the United States is grappling with a maternal and infant health crisis. The national preterm birth rate, at 10.4%, has earned the country a grade of D+ for the fourth consecutive year. Alarmingly, babies born to mothers covered by Medicaid are facing a preterm birth rate of 11.7%, significantly higher than the 9.6% rate for those with private insurance. Moreover, the preterm birth rate among Black mothers climbed to 14.7%, a staggering one and a half times that of their counterparts.
Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes, expressed his dismay regarding the stagnant rates and growing disparities, despite our collective understanding of the risk factors involved. He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced commitment to research, improved access to maternity care, and advocacy for policies that nurture the health of moms and babies.Challenges persist in Ohio, and March of Dimes is taking a proactive stance to counter these health risks. The organization has implemented initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and promoting significant research dedicated to ensuring healthier pregnancies. Among their efforts are two Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® that deliver prenatal and postpartum care to communities that otherwise might lack sufficient maternity care services.
The Ohio Collaborative Prematurity Research Center exemplifies March of Dimes' commitment to addressing preterm birth causes through a collaborative effort among esteemed universities and health institutions. This partnership seeks to devise new prevention strategies that can impact the demographics hardest hit by the preterm birth crisis. Bianca Holder, Manager of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives in Ohio, emphasized the need for universal access to quality care, asserting that every mother and baby, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves the opportunity for a healthy start.
To fortify their advocacy efforts at the national level, March of Dimes is pushing for policies that enhance the maternal health environment, such as the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, aimed at ensuring ongoing funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees, the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act, and enhanced Medicaid postpartum coverage for mothers post-birth.
The troubling 2025 Report Card indicates that the status quo for maternal and infant health in the United States is perilous. In response, March of Dimes continues to champion research, improve care access, and influence policies designed to safeguard the health of every mother and child.
For a comprehensive look at the 2025 Report Card, state-by-state grades, and recommendations for improvement, visit marchofdimes.org/reportcard. March of Dimes, established in 1938, is dedicated to the health of all mothers and babies through research, education, advocacy, programs, and services that support families aiming for the best possible start in life. For further details, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org.
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