What does this measure?

The percentage of babies born 4 weeks before the mother's due date, out of all live births. This means the gestational age of the baby is less than 36 weeks.

Why is this important?

Preterm babies have a higher prevalence of four major disabilities (cerebral palsy, mental delays, vision impairment and hearing loss), all of which require special education services. In addition, preterm babies are at greater risk for lower cognitive scores and behavioral problems. Care for the babies is expensive, with many requiring neonatal intensive care in the first year. And premature births are sometimes associated with maternal smoking, alcohol or drug use, depression or experiencing abuse.

How is our county doing?

In 2024, 10% of Essex County births were preterm, similar to the state rate and lower than the national rate of 12%. Rates have remained fairly steady in Essex County since 2010, ranging from 9% to 11%. The number of premature babies in Essex County peaked at 921 in 2013 and was 903 in 2024.

How do we compare to other counties?

In 2024, the preterm birth rate in Essex County was slightly higher than Middlesex, MA at 9% and slightly below Westchester, NY (at 11%). Since 2010, the preterm birth rate in Essex County has been relatively unchanged, similar to its comparison counties.

Notes about the data

The proportion is calculated out of all live births, except those for which gestational age is unknown.