The March of Dimes recent report showed Mississippi had not improved when it comes to preterm birth rates across the state. That means the state received an F rating with a preterm birth rating of 13.6 percent.
The report showed that more and more infants in Mississippi are being born before they reach full term, which is 38 weeks. The rating is determined by looking at where the state is now compared to the March of Dimes goal of 8.1 percent by 2020.
While still at an F rating, Madison and Rankin counties did slightly improve from their 2015 rates, however Harrison and Hinds county worsened.
In Mississippi the preterm birth rate is 46 percent higher among black women than any other ethnicity.
Scoring 11.5 percent or higher qualifies a state for an F grade.
