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The U.S. preterm birth rate to 10.5% in 2021, the highest rate in 15 years, according to the March of Dimes . Persistent racial disparities across maternal and infant health measures compounded by the pandemic made the U.S. among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth. Black and indigenous women are 62% more likely to have a preterm birth, and their babies are twice as likely to die compared with white women. In 2021, preterm birth rates for Black mothers increased from 14.4% to 14.7% and from 11.6% to 12.3% for Native American/Alaskan Native mothers. While Asian women saw a 3% decline in births, they had the largest increase at 8% in preterm births compared with all other women. Along with the report, the March of Dimes released a “” to advance maternal health equity. (March of Dimes , 11/15/22)