A report released Monday says that Tennessee has some of the worst infant and maternal death rates in the country.
Channel four reports Tennessee scored with a D- from the March of Dimes for its pre-term birth rate. The Volunteer State also ranked last for maternal mortality and lower than most other states in every category.
Additionally, the report found the infant mortality rate at 5.6% nationwide and 6.5% in Tennessee, with over 20,000 U.S. babies dying before their first birthday. According to March of Dimes, the highest rates are reported in the South and Midwest.
Despite Tennessee’s low scores, March of Dimes said the Volunteer State has made significant improvements” in low-risk Cesarean births and adequate prenatal care reception.
The organization said that Tennessee has implemented two of the six solutions it recommends to help improve outcomes for moms and infants.
