• The March of Dimes will issue national and state Report Cards giving each state and the nation a letter grade determined by comparing its preterm birth rate to Healthy People 2010 goals.  
• The Report Card contents are confidential until the release date of November 12.
• The March of Dimes has been working on increasing support for prematurity-related research for years, including our successful advocacy for enactment of  the PREEMIE Act in 2007.  Research is essential to identifying causes and testing strategies for prevention.  While research continues, the nation can address key prevention opportunities.  The Report Cards call attention to three of these prevention opportunities and includes the latest available data on them for each state.

What other organizations can do

• Interested organizations are invited to share the Petition for Preemies with their members and contacts.  This can be done by linking to marchofdimes.com/petition; by including information in newsletters or emails, etc.  The March of Dimes will have wallet cards available for distribution that include information on the petition and resources for families.  Hard copy versions of the petition will be available from March of Dimes chapters.

• We also welcome any efforts to deliver key preconception and prenatal health messages to women.  These messages will be highlighted on marchofdimes.com/petition beginning on October 1, and materials are available through March of Dimes chapters.

• Anyone who signs the petition prior to November 12 will receive an email from the March of Dimes with their state’s report card on November 12.  Report cards will also be available on marchofdimes.com beginning November 12.