A recent study conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group identified the top 10 best and worst states for childbirth in 2024. The analysis took into account nine different criteria, including factors such as health care and child care costs, maternal and infant mortality rates, and postpartum expenses. North Dakota emerged as the best state for childbirth, earning a high overall score of 85 due to its low mortality rates, strong health care systems, and affordable childbearing costs.
Utah and South Dakota also scored well, with overall scores of 78 and 73 respectively, attributed to their affordable child care and low mortality rates. On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi was ranked as the worst state for childbirth, receiving a score of 40. The state faced challenges such as high infant and maternal mortality rates, as well as elevated health care costs.
South Carolina closely followed Mississippi with an overall score of 41.50, also struggling with high mortality rates and costly child care expenses. Tennessee received a score of 42.13, further highlighting the issue of high mortality rates for both mothers and newborns, as well as the financial burden of child care. Parents nationwide are experiencing difficulty in affording child care costs while juggling employment responsibilities, with a decline in child care-related businesses since 2020.
The study also examined national trends in child care costs, revealing that expenses for infant center-based care surpassed $15,000 annually in large counties across the U.S. in 2018. When adjusted for inflation in 2022, this cost exceeded $17,000. States such as Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, and Connecticut were identified as having the highest child care expenses in 2020, with costs exceeding $20,000 per child annually in Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts.
The study highlighted the impact of high child care costs on families across the country, particularly in states with lower rankings for childbirth. As parents face the challenge of balancing work and child care responsibilities, the issue of affordability remains a significant concern. The findings underscore the importance of addressing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, as well as implementing policies to make child care more accessible and affordable for all families. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
