Babies at risk: 16 worst places for premature birth

premature baby, preemie, hospital, birth, stock, 4x3 — Wikimedia Commons

It's no secret that premature babies face all sorts of health problems, such as trouble breathing and anemia. But the March of Dimes says the number of babies being born prematurely is falling in the U.S. Its 2011 "report card" on preterm birth suggests that - thanks in part to lower rates of unnecessary C-sections and birth inductions - 40,000 more American babies got a healthy start in life between 2006 and 2009.

But not all states received good grades for keeping their rates of premature births down. Vermont was the only state to earn an A - 16 got a B, and 19 a C. Who earned Ds and Fs? Keep clicking to find out...

15. West Virginia

huntington, west virginia — Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia kicks off the list of failing and near-failing states on the premature birth report card. The state received a D grade - 12.9 percent of births in the state are premature.