AUSTIN, Texas — Texas received a "D" grade for its preterm birth rate in 2024 , according to the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card.

The report shows 43,344 babies were born preterm, or before 37 weeks of gestation, last year in Texas. Nationally, the U.S. earned a "D+" grade, with about half of all states receiving a "D" or an "F."

Texas ranked No. 40 out of 52, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with an 11.1% preterm birth rate.

National Center for Health Statistics data shows Texas’ preterm birth rate worsened from 10.3% in 2014 to 11.1% in 2024. Among major Texas cities, Irving received the highest grade – a "B+" with an 8.5% rate – followed by Dallas with a "B-" at 9.2% and Austin with a "C+" at 9.5%.

In 2024, KVUE's Melia Masumoto spoke with Phyli

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