The 2025 Social Foundations in Perinatal Health report by the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC) examines how social factors impact maternal and infant health outcomes across Virginia. Building on VNPC’s earlier clinical scan, this report uses data from CDC WONDER, Virginia PRAMS, and key health partners to explore trends from pre-pregnancy through postpartum.

Key insights include:

•Demographics & Birth Trends: Virginia’s birth rate has declined since 2021, with a rise in maternal age. Most births are covered by private insurance (54.5%) or Medicaid (33.4%)5.

•Pre-Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: In 2022, 66% of moms had a pre-pregnancy healthcare visit, and 76.5% began prenatal care within the first 9 weeks19. However, obstacles such as appointment access, insurance coverage, and lack of awareness persist—especially among Black, Medicaid-insured, and rural populations.

•Postpartum Care: 91.7% of new mothers received postpartum checkups, but 8.3% missed care who often citied feeling fine or being too busy19. Challenges persist across race, insurance, and geography.

•Infant Health Practices: Breastfeeding rates rose to 92.1% in 2022, surpassing state goals. Back sleep position for infants increased to 84.2%, aligning with safety guidelines19.

•Social Challenges: Discrimination was reported by 6.7% of mothers most commonly due to weight or race. Additionally, 2.9% felt unsafe in their neighborhoods, with higher rates among Hispanic and Medicaid-insured individuals19.

•Impact on Outcomes: Education, marital status, and pre-pregnancy weight significantly influence preterm birth rates. Higher education and being married correlate with lower risk, while extreme obesity and underweight status increase risk5.

This report underscores the importance of addressing both clinical and social factors to improve perinatal health outcomes statewide.