The latest March of Dimes report card paints a stark picture of maternal health in Alabama, declaring the State is in crisis—and Black women are paying the highest price.
According to the report, Alabama earned an “F” on the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card, ranking 49th out of 52 jurisdictions for preterm births. More than 7,300 babies in the State came early in 2024, contributing to a 12.7% preterm birth rate—a figure that experts say reflects systemic gaps in care.
The data underscores deep racial disparities. Black mothers, according to the report, face both higher health risks and poorer outcomes. Their babies are 1.6 times more likely to die before their first birthday than those born to White mothers…