Birth Outcomes – Low Birth Weight (CDC)
This indicator reports the percentage of live births where the infant weighed less than 2,500 grams (approximately 5 lbs., 8 oz.). These data are reported for a 7-year aggregated time period. Data were from the National Center for Health Statistics – Natality Files (2017-2023) and are used for the 2025 County Health Rankings.
Note: Data are suppressed for counties with fewer than 10 low birthweight births in the reporting period.
Source
Source Description
The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) program is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. CHR&R provides data, evidence, guidance, and examples in order to build awareness of the multiple factors that influence health and connect community leaders working to improve health and equity. The annual County Health Rankings measure vital health factors, including high school graduation rates, obesity, smoking, unemployment, access to healthy foods, the quality of air and water, income inequality, and teen births in nearly every U.S. county. The annual Rankings provide a revealing snapshot of how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work and play. CHR&R offers many pathways for self-directed and peer learning, web-based content, and virtual interactive forums that are designed to accelerate learning and action in communities to help build healthier communities and advance equity. To learn more, visit countyhealthrankings.org.
Methodology
Low birthweight data was acquired from the University of Wisconsin’s County Health Rankings (CHR). This measure represents the percentage of live births with low birthweight (< 2,500 grams). CHR uses 2017-2023 seven-year averages from the National Vital Statistic System (NVSS) as the basis for their calculation. NVSS data are compiled from state birth records and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, please review the County Health Rankings Low Birthweight indicator information.
Data Breakouts Available
- Low Birth Weight, Percent by Race / Ethnicity
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