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Trends in cause-specific infant mortality in Georgia
Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Significant reductions in infant mortality were achieved for normal birthweight infants between 1960 and 1982. However, the widest gaps persist in the postneonatal period, particularly for black infants, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infant mortality reduction potential is substantial for normal birthweight infants.
- Understanding historical trends in cause-specific mortality is crucial for identifying persistent gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine cause-specific infant mortality trends for normal birthweight infants by race from 1960 to 1980-82.
- To identify remaining disparities and potential areas for intervention.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cause-specific mortality data for normal birthweight infants.
- Comparison of mortality trends by race (white and black) across neonatal and postneonatal periods.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in neonatal mortality for both white (66%) and black (76%) infants.
- Smaller reductions in postneonatal mortality: 50% for white and 71% for black infants.
- Remaining mortality gaps concentrated in infection, injury, and Sudden Infant Death categories, with widest disparities in the postneonatal period.
Conclusions:
- While progress has been made, postneonatal mortality in normal birthweight infants remains a critical area for intervention, especially for black infants.
- Targeted interventions in the postneonatal period could yield a 12% reduction in black infant mortality.