The 10 Worst States for Birth Safety, 2020s
Ranks the states four birth safety measures, covering 2020 to 2024. Infant mortality counts deaths before a first birthday, per 1,000 live births. Low birthweight is the % of babies born under 2,500 grams, about 5 pounds 8 ounces. Maternal mortality counts deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end from pregnancy related causes, per 100,000 live births. Cesarean is the % of all births delivered surgically, included because national rates have sat near a third of births for over a decade with no matching improvement in outcomes. States are ranked by their average position across the four measures, where 1 is the worst in the country.