Infant mortality in Greenland: secular trend and regional variation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Demography

Background:

• Infant mortality and stillbirths pose significant public health challenges.
• Understanding trends in vulnerable populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in infant mortality and stillbirths in Greenland's Inuit population.
• To investigate the impact of geographical remoteness on mortality rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of infant mortality and stillbirth data from 1951 to 1989.
• Comparison of mortality rates between towns and settlements, and by geographical remoteness.

Main Results:

• Infant mortality rate in Greenland decreased significantly from 1951 to 1989.
• Mortality rates increased with remoteness and were higher in settlements than towns.
• A substantial increase in infant mortality was observed in settlements during the 1980s.

Conclusions:

• While overall infant mortality declined, regional disparities and increasing rates in settlements highlight persistent challenges.
• Targeted public health strategies are needed to address geographical and temporal variations in infant mortality in Greenland.