The March of Dimes is raising concerns about the health of Hispanic mothers and babies, noting the lack of education about prenatal care and healthy behaviors. This position came with the release of a special report focused on maternal and infant health in the Hispanic population in the U.S. With the Hispanic population in the U.S. continuing to grow, birth rates are up and pregnancies should be as healthy as possible.

There are currently more than 11.8 million Hispanic women of childbearing age in the U.S. Their population has the fastest growth rate and birth rate of any race in the U.S. With a higher fertility rate in Hispanic women, this trend will continue. Unfortunately, the rate of preterm birth in Hispanic women in the U.S. is 12 percent higher than non-Hispanic white mothers. Of all preterm births in the U.S., Hispanic mothers account for nearly one-fourth.

Additional statistics of concern related to infant mortality and birth defects. The infant mortality rates for Hispanics were higher than the rest of the population, accounting for 20 percent of infant mortality in the U.S. Also, Hispanic women gave birth to babies with more birth defects, specifically neural tube defects.

According to 19 Action News, some of these birth defects are more common because of a lack of folic acid in the Hispanic diet. Folic acid has been shown to prevent neural tube defects. Public health interventions to educate mothers on simple changes could make a huge difference in maternal and infant health for Hispanics in the U.S.