Joinpoint Trend Analysis of Infant Mortality Disparities in Wisconsin, 1999-2016

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Infant mortality rate (IMR) disparities persist across racial and educational groups.
• Previous research has limitations in analyzing trends in these complex disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in racial and educational disparities in infant mortality rates (IMRs) using nonlinear methods.
• To compare improvements within and between racial and educational domains of IMR disparities.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of linked birth and death certificates in Wisconsin (1999-2016).
• Joinpoint regression modeling was employed to identify significant trends.

Main Results:

• IMR decreased by 1.9% annually for White mothers and 1.1% for less-educated mothers.
• Specific reductions observed in infants of White mothers with more education (-0.6%/year) and Black mothers with less education (-2.0%/year).

Conclusions:

• Gaps in IMR by race and education are narrowing, but only the education gap is statistically significant.
• The racial divide in IMR may widen, despite past progress in reducing IMR among Black mothers.
• Public health strategies must utilize precise data and methods to address persistent IMR disparities.