Summary

Issue Overview

Between 1960 and 2000 the United State’s infant mortality rate (the death rate for infants during the first year of life) decreased steadily. Advances in addressing congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can help explain this decline. Progress stalled from 2000 to 2006 as low-birthweight and preterm deliveries have been difficult to overcome.

Promising Strategies

Four strategies are essential for any plan aimed at further reducing the infant mortality rate:

• Take a lifespan approach to maternal and infant health. There is growing consensus that prevention efforts need to begin well before conception, especially for those mothers at greatest risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.
• Ensure timely prenatal care for all women. Infants of mothers who began receiving prenatal care in the first trimester have much better life chances than those whose mothers began later or receive no prenatal care at all. Moreover, prenatal care is valuable as a link to other services, such as nutritional services.
• Address racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality. Significant disparities persist. In 2006, the infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) was 13.3 for Non-Hispanic blacks, 8.2 for American Indians, 5.6 for Non-Hispanic whites, 5.5 for Hispanics, and 3.6 for Asian and Pacific Islanders.
• Sustain efforts to prevent infant mortality after the first month of life. After the first month, babies continue to need prompt, appropriate care. Illness and SIDS continue to claim the lives of babies throughout the first year. Prevention efforts should include promotion of breastfeeding, universal access to well-baby and sick-baby care, and expanded programs to prevent child abuse and neglect.

To read the whole indicator brief go to Reducing Infant Mortality

Additonal Resources

• The Casey Knowledge Center
• Adolescent Reproductive Health
• Community Health