Infant Mortality Rates in the United States: A Racial Disparity Analysis

Overview of the CDC Report

A report from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017 indicates a decline in the overall infant mortality rate from 2005 to 2015. However, an analysis of the data by race revealed that more black infants died within their first year compared to white infants, despite the general decrease in mortality rates.

Study Methodology

Researchers utilized live-birth and death data sourced from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System during the specified period. The study focused on the infant mortality rates of non-Hispanic black infants compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. The findings were published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics on July 3, 2017.

Key Findings on Mortality Rates

While mortality rates showed a decrease or remained stable across four major causes of infant death during the study, black infants consistently exhibited higher mortality rates than white infants in each category examined.

Causes of Infant Death

The researchers investigated four primary causes of infant mortality: short gestation/low birth weight, congenital malformations, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and maternal complications, along with a fifth category titled “All Other Causes.”

Impact of Short Gestation/Low Birth Weight

The analysis revealed stark differences in death rates due to short gestation and low birth weight between black and white infants. The researchers identified this as the leading cause of infant death among black infants. For instance, in 2005, the mortality rate for black infants suffering from this condition was 309.2 per 100,000 live births, compared to 78.2 for white infants, illustrating a nearly fivefold difference. By 2015, these figures were 256.9 for black infants and 69.7 for white infants, demonstrating a reduction in both groups but a persistent gap.

Statistics on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The report highlighted that black infants experienced SIDS rates between two and five times higher than white infants throughout the study’s duration. In 2005, the SIDS death rate for black infants was 111.3 compared to 52.5 for white infants. By 2015, these rates adjusted to 87.1 for black infants and 36.2 for white infants, indicating significantly elevated risks for black infants.

Maternal Complications and Congenital Malformations

Similar trends were observed with maternal complications, where black infants died at nearly three times the rate of white infants in both 2005 and 2015. In the congenital malformations category, the mortality rate for black infants was about four times that of white infants in the same years.

Broader Implications and Need for Further Research

The “All Other Causes” category also reflected higher mortality rates for black infants. A noted limitation of the CDC report is that it only includes data for black and white infants, indicating a need for additional research to explore potential disparities in other racial and ethnic populations.

While the researchers did not identify specific causes for the increased mortality rates among black infants, they emphasized the necessity for further investigation to address these racial disparities in infant mortality. The report underscores the existence of significant inequalities and the urgent need for comprehensive research aimed at understanding the factors contributing to these disparities and formulating effective interventions.

Author and Reference

Written by Susan Mercer Hinrichs, MA, MBA, CPhT
Reference: Trends in Differences in U.S. Mortality Rates Between Black and White Infants
Authors: Corinne A. Riddell, Ph.D.; Sam Harper, PhD; and Jay S. Kaufman, PhD

Related Topics of Interest

– What causes sudden infant death syndrome?
– Maternal weight linked to birth defects
– Increased risk of congenital malformations by overweight and obese mothers
– Body image influences likelihood of maintaining baby breastfeeding