Georgia recently slipped from a grade of “C” to a “D” on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card.

A big reason for premature births is poor health of mothers before they become pregnant, experts say.

In a new GHN Commentary, Callan Wells of the Georgia Legal Services Program says that if the state government wants to lower Georgia’s premature births, “it should start by publicizing available health programs and help women get enrolled and use their benefits fully.”

Wells cites a little-known Medicaid program as an example.

Here’s a link to her Commentary.

Georgia Health News welcomes Commentary submissions. If you would like to propose a Commentary piece for Georgia Health News, please email Andy Miller, editor of GHN, at amiller@georgiahealthnews.com