Infant mortality, the death of a child within the first year of life, serves as a critical indicator of a nation’s health. This article examines infant mortality trends in the United States compared to other wealthy nations with similar GDPs and populations. While the U.S. has seen improvements, its infant mortality rate remains significantly higher than comparable countries, raising important questions about healthcare access and socioeconomic factors.
U.S. Infant Mortality Trends and Disparities
The U.S. infant mortality rate has decreased by 14% between 2007 and 2017. Neonatal deaths (occurring within the first 27 days) account for two-thirds of infant deaths, with 40% occurring within the first 24 hours.
Significant geographic and racial disparities exist within the U.S. Southern states tend to have higher rates, ranging from 3.66 deaths per 1,000 live births in Massachusetts to 8.73 in Mississippi. Infants born to Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander mothers experience significantly higher mortality rates compared to White and Asian mothers.
Maternal age also plays a role, with mothers under 20 having the highest infant mortality rate (9.0 deaths per 1,000 live births).
Leading causes of infant death include congenital malformations, short gestation, low birth weight, and maternal complications. These vary between the neonatal and postneonatal periods.
International Comparisons: A Deeper Dive
The U.S. infant mortality rate is substantially higher (5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births) than the average of comparable countries (3.4 deaths per 1,000 live births).
Even after adjusting for reporting differences related to very low birth weight infants, the U.S. rate remains higher. Furthermore, the rate of decline in infant mortality in the U.S. has been slower compared to other countries. The disparity is particularly pronounced for postneonatal deaths.
While perinatal mortality (including early neonatal and some fetal deaths) is similar between the U.S. and comparable countries, international comparisons in this area are complex due to variations in data collection methods.
Conclusion: Addressing the Issue
The persistently high infant mortality rate in the U.S. compared to other developed nations underscores the need for continued focus on addressing underlying factors. Research suggests socioeconomic inequality and racial disparities play significant roles, potentially linked to healthcare access, quality of care, and social determinants of health. Further research and targeted interventions are crucial to improving outcomes and ensuring the well-being of infants in the United States.
