Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly better than the overall value
Significantly worse than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Preterm Labor and Delivery Hospitalizations
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Measurement Period: 2021-2023
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
This indicator shows the percentage of mothers hospitalized for preterm labor and delivery. Preterm labor is characterized as labor that starts with less than 37 weeks of completed gestation.
Why is this important?
Preterm labor is labor that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy and in most cases, begins unexpectedly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). While going into preterm labor does not necessarily mean there will be a preterm birth, it can lead to preterm birth (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Infants born before 37 weeks have higher risk disability and death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Considerations for Equitable Approaches: Nationally, there are racial and ethnic differences in preterm birth rates, with higher rates among non-Hispanic Black births. In addition to medical conditions and behavioral factors (e.g., tobacco uses, substance use, stress), known factors that may increase the likelihood of early delivery include social, personal, and economic characteristics such as race and income. Exploring broader social policies to improve the health of pregnant people, particularly in African American and other communities at high risk, could reduce preterm birth and associated disparities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Inclusive Language Recommendations: As not all people who are pregnant identify as women, recommendations for more gender-inclusive language include using "pregnant people" and "pregnant patients" or other wording as applicable when referring to general recommendations for pregnancy (National Institutes of Health).
| Zip Code | Source | Measurement Period | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Data Source
- The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission
Maintained By: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (Methodology)
Filed under: Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health, Health Outcomes, Infants, Teens, Adults