​From 2014 to 2016, the U.S. preterm birth rate—births at less than 37 weeks' gestation per 100 total births—rose 3%, from 9.57% to 9.85%, according to a June 2018 Data Brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The analysis is based on data from the Natality Data File from the National Vital Statistics System. Although preterm birth rates had been declining from 2007 to 2014, the recent data suggests that the rate is on the rise again. Preterm infants are at a greater risk of early death and of suffering health and developmental problems than infants born later in pregnancy. According to NCHS data, the increase largely reflects a rise among late preterm births (i.e., those occurring between 34 and 36 weeks, but particularly among births occurring at 36 weeks), which rose 4% from 2014 (6.82%) through 2016 (7.09%). Over the same time, total and late preterm birth rates each increased 4% for singleton births, while the total preterm birth rate increased 2% for multiple births. In addition, total and late preterm birth rates rose for each of the largest race and Hispanic-origin groups from 2014 to 2016. CDC states that, over the study period, the preterm birth rates increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

HRC Recommends: The rate of preterm birth in the United States remains unacceptably high. In 2017, the U.S. rate of preterm birth earned it a grade of C (preterm birth rate at least 9.3% but less than 10.3%) on the March of Dimes Report Card. This report compares each state's annual rate of preterm birth with the organization's goal of not more than 8.1% by 2020. Risk managers should encourage and guide their organizations to implement, monitor, improve, and sustain a program that can significantly reduce the rate of preterm births in their facilities. As has been the experience in many hospitals, before a commitment to organizational change can be made, the various stakeholders must be convinced that it is the right thing to do.