DC Health has released its 2025 Perinatal Health and Infant Mortality Report, which covers data from 2019 to 2023 and details trends in maternal and infant health in Washington, DC. The report highlights both improvements and ongoing challenges, especially concerning disparities between different groups.
The data shows that the overall birth rate in the District dropped by 10.1% over the five-year period. The most significant decrease was among women aged 15-19, whose birth rate fell by 26.8%, from 16.8 to 12.3 per 1,000 women.
The average infant mortality rate also improved, decreasing from 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (2015-2019) to 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (2019-2023), a reduction of nearly one quarter.
Key findings from the report include that mothers who began prenatal care during their first trimester had pre-term birth rates two to two-and-a-half times lower than those who received no prenatal care. However, Black mothers experienced preterm and low birthweight births at rates up to twice as high as White mothers. Preterm birth rates were also notably higher for mothers with diabetes or hypertension prior to pregnancy—two to two-and-a-half times higher compared to those without these conditions—and three times higher for mothers with gestational eclampsia compared to those without.
“Every mother and baby deserves the best possible start,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “This report not only shows the progress we’ve made but also helps us focus on the areas where more work is needed. By using this data to guide our actions, we can continue improving perinatal health outcomes and reducing disparities across the District.”
DC Health works with healthcare partners, community organizations, and families on initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health before, during, and after pregnancy.
Programs highlighted include a Pre-Term Birth Reduction Initiative that supports clinics in implementing evidence-based strategies such as care coordination for high-risk pregnancies; this initiative has seen at least a two percent decline in preterm births among patients over three years. Another program—the State Maternal Health Innovation Initiative—focuses on increasing access through new perinatal services at clinics East of the River.
Residents are encouraged to use resources offered by DC Health’s Family Health Bureau, which provides programs aimed at expanding access to prenatal care, supporting parents with infant care and breastfeeding guidance, screening children for developmental concerns, and offering home-based support services.
Additional programs mentioned are Help Me Grow—a referral service supporting child development for ages zero through five; WIC—the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children—which provides healthy food assistance along with nutrition education; and Safe Sleep Program—which educates new parents about safe sleep practices while providing portable cribs.
The full Perinatal Health Report is available on the DC Health website.
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