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What's Good

•According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth is 30 percent more affordable than average for cities in our survey.

•At $69, the average doctor's office visit here is the 6th lowest in our survey, compared to a national average of $82.

•Just 4 percent of pregnant women in Fort Worth admit to smoking during pregnancy, the 10th lowest rate in our survey. Nationwide, 8 percent of pregnant women smoke.

•State laws require health insurance companies to provide or offer at least some coverage for fertility-related services.

•Texas stands out in a measure of legislation related to cord blood education, research and related issues.

•Day-care centers in Fort Worth are required by state law to meet special requirements aimed at reducing the risk of SIDS. Many cities and states have less-stringent or no SIDS-prevention programs for day-cares.

Needs Improvement

•7.1 percent of Fort Worth mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively (meaning no solids, formula or other liquids) for 6 months or longer as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That's the 8th lowest percentage among cities in our survey. The average for our survey is 12 percent.

•There are far fewer advanced fertility clinics per capita here than average, the 3rd lowest ratio in our survey.

•Fort Worth has a limited number of high-risk pediatricians, 63 percent less than average per capita and the 10th lowest in our survey.

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