State of South Dakota's Child: 2015

In 2014 there was an increase in the number of births in the state with 24 percent representing minority populations. This year also brought a decrease from 2013 in deaths for infants, yielding an infant mortality rate of deaths per 1,000 live births (5.9) slightly below that of the most current national rate of 6.0 in 2013. Consistent with previous years, disparities persist in rates of death for white and minority infants with 45 percent of 2014 infant deaths (versus 24 percent of the births) represented by minorities. Between 2010 and 2014, 57 percent of white and 60 percent of minority post neonatal deaths in South Dakota were attributable to sudden unexpected infant death, accidents and homicide for both whites and minorities. The rates of infant deaths due to these causes, however, were significantly higher (p < .01) for minorities than for whites.