birth rates

The sagging economy may well be the best form of birth control.

Preterm birth rates improved in nearly every state between 2006 and 2009, but the United States still merited only a "C" on the March of Dimes' latest Premature Birth Report Card.

(March of Dimes Foundation) The United States received a "D" on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, when national preterm birth rates are measured against the Healthy People 2010 goals.

The United States has a high rate of preterm birth compared to top scoring states and, notably, most industrialized countries.

Eight states earned a better grade on the third annual report card and 32 others and the District of Columbia saw their preterm birth rates improve.

Among the many reasons for the high preterm birth rate in the U.S.: lack of insurance, cigarette smoking and elective cesarean section deliveries that are scheduled too early

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (MedPage Today) -- The timing of rotavirus epidemics appears to be related to regional birth rates, researchers found.