Washington County's preterm birthrates surprise Minnesota leaders

Washington County recorded an unusually high number of preterm births in 2013, according to a new March of Dimes report that is surprising Minnesota officials because the suburban county is largely white and upper-income, while the public health problem tends to be more common in poor and minority communities.

Neighboring Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, which are more diverse racially and economically, posted a lower rate — just 8 percent, compared with 9.5 percent in Washington County.

http://www.startribune.com/east-metro-preterm-birthrates-surprise-minnesota-leaders/340547551/