U.S. Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates: Shamefully (and Unnecessarily) Bad and Getting Worse.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The United States infant mortality rate (IMR) has stagnated compared to other high-income nations.
• International comparisons reveal concerning trends in U.S. infant mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze current U.S. infant mortality rates in a global context.
• To highlight significant racial and ethnic disparities within the U.S. IMR.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of U.S. infant mortality data with international rates.
• Disaggregation of U.S. data by race and ethnicity.

Main Results:

• The overall U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than those of Antigua and Cuba.
• The infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black infants is 11.2 per 1,000 live births.
• This rate for non-Hispanic Black infants is comparable to rates observed in Libya and Tunisia.

Conclusions:

• The U.S. faces challenges in reducing infant mortality, lagging behind several countries.
• Significant racial disparities in infant mortality persist within the United States, demanding targeted interventions.