WASHINGTON (AP) - The March of Dimes says the rate of premature
births varies widely from state to state.

Georgia and South Carolina earned an 'F' on the national report card ranking states on the number of babies born prematurely. The nonprofit group said Georgia had a preterm-birth rate of 13.6 percent in 2005, South Carolina had 15.6 percent.

The group's report says it's as low as nine percent in Vermont, and as high as 18.8 percent in Mississippi.

The federal government set a goal of reducing premature births to no higher than 7.6 percent by 2010. The report from the March of Dimes shows little promise of meeting that goal.

The report says among the factors contributing to premature births are lack of insurance and smoking. Women who don't have health insurance are more likely not to get proper prenatal care.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)