Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma's premature birth rate dipped again last year, earning it a better grade from an nonprofit organization that specializes in pregnancy and baby health.
The state's premature birth rate was 12.8 percent in 2013 — down from 13 percent in 2012. The drop was enough for Oklahoma to earn a "C'' on the March of Dimes 2014 Premature Birth report card.
Nationally, the preterm birth rate fell to 11.4 percent last year — the lowest it's been in 17 years. But despite the progress, the nation still received a "C'' on the annual report card and still has the highest rate of preterm birth of any industrialized country.
Health officials say premature birth is a serious health problem that costs the U.S. more than $26 billion annually.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
