HOW IS NEW MEXICO DOING WHEN IT COMES TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PREMATURE BIRTHS? BECKY HORNER WITH THE MARCH OF DIMES SAYS WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS. THE LATEST REPORT PUTS THE RATE AT 9-POINT-2 PERCENT, OR A “B” GRADE. THAT’S LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 9-POINT-6 PERCENT WHICH IS A “C” GRADE.
HORNER SAYS THIS REPORT ALSO LOOKED AT SIX COUNTIES IN NEW MEXICO. SHE SAYS BERNALILLO WAS THE 5TH WORST AT 10-POINT-2 PERCENT. MCKINLEY COUNTY HAD THE WORST PREMATURE BIRTH RATE IN THE STATE AT 10-POINT-9 PERCENT. SANDOVAL COUNTY CAME IN AT 9-POINT-9 PERCENT AND SANTA FE COUNTY’S RATE WAS 7-POINT-3 PERCENT.
