Introduction
Infant mortality refers to the death that occurs before the age of one year. The infant mortality rate refers to the number of deaths of children under the age of one per a thousand live births. Such deaths happen due to different reasons, including congenital disabilities, sudden infant death syndrome, injuries, and maternal pregnancy complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
The infant mortality rate is considered a key indicator of a society’s health status. In 2020, the United States had a national infant mortality rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. The infant mortality rate varies across different geographical locations within the United States, indicating disparities in the health status of citizens living in distinct regions.
Recent Data Related to US Infant Mortality by States
The Infant Mortality Rate varies significantly in different states across the United States. In 2020, the highest infant mortality rate per state was 8.12 deaths per 1,000 live births in Mississippi, while the lowest was New Hampshire with 3.92 deaths per 1,000 live births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). There was a slight decrease in infant mortality from 5.8 in 2019 to 5.4 live births in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). The disparity in states indicates that the healthcare system does not serve citizens with the intended equality.
Despite the high infant mortality across states, there are regions with a low rate of such deaths. The three states with the highest IMRs in 2020 were Mississippi, with 8.12 deaths per 1,000 live births, Louisiana, with 7.59 deaths per 1,000 live births, and Arkansas, with 7.38 deaths per 1,000 live births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). The fourth state was West Virginia, with 7.33 deaths per 1,000 live births, while South Dakota had 7.30 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The five states with the lowest IMRs in 2022 include California, with 3.92 deaths per 1,000 live births; New Jersey, with 3.94 deaths per 1,000 live births; and Connecticut, with 4.33 deaths per 1,000 live births. Massachusetts ranked third-lowest, recording 4.34 deaths per 1,000 live births, while New Hampshire reported 4.41 deaths per 1,000 live births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). This suggests that the high infant mortality rate in other states can be reduced.
Report the top 5 states showing the highest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
The states with the highest infant mortality rates are West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and South Dakota, as shown in Table 1. The most likely factors that contribute to these high rates of poverty include poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and racial disparities. High poverty can be a contributing factor to deaths if the families cannot afford the means of transport to take their loved one to hospitals during delivery or other medical check-ups that ensure the pregnancy is kept to term. Those living in areas far from healthcare facilities, such as rural homes, may be disadvantaged in accessing care. This may make it difficult for pregnant women to receive the proper prenatal care required to keep their pregnancy in a healthy condition.
Table 1 – States with the lowest Infant Mortality Rates. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
Identifying Factors Linked with Infant Mortality Rate
Poverty and access to healthcare are some of the factors linked to increased infant mortality. In poverty-stricken families, there is an increased risk of preterm births, low birth weight, and death in infancy. Such complications happen due to inadequate prenatal care, which may cause pregnancy termination or poor maternal health.
Poverty hinders access to essential resources, which are crucial for healthy human development. Poor nutrition, uncouth neighborhoods, unsafe housing, and low-quality childcare can undermine the health of an infant. Additionally, poverty-stricken neighborhoods are often vulnerable to diseases and infection, which may expose newborns to health-related complications.
In states that have increased rates of Infant Mortality, such as Mississippi and Louisiana, there are high rates of poverty, which is related to reduced access to healthcare services. This means that newborns have an increased risk of receiving appropriate care despite the likelihood of being born with complications. For instance, in Mississippi, the mortality rate was 8.12 deaths per 1000 live births in 2020, which is twice the national average of 5.4 deaths per 1000 live births.
Mississippi has one of the highest poverty rates at 19.4% in the United States, which explains the disparities in healthcare access and heightened rates of Infant mortality (United States Census Bureau, 2023). Additionally, all other states ranked with the highest rate of infant mortality have heightened rates of poverty. The states have limited investments in the healthcare sector and social programs that can enhance the health of pregnant mothers and their babies. With many families living in rural areas where there are few healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals, it may be challenging to access quality care during and after pregnancy. States should ensure that access to healthcare is improved to reduce infant mortality rates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, infant mortality rates differ significantly, with heightened disparities among states. The five states with the highest Infant Mortality Rate are Arkansas, Mississippi, South Dakota, Louisiana, and West Virginia. There is a heightened disparity of Infant death between states due to several factors, including congenital disabilities, sudden infant death syndrome, and maternal pregnancy complications. Poverty and lack of access to healthcare facilities are some of the causes of the increased Infant mortality rate, which should be addressed to reduce these deaths.
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Infant mortality rates by state.
United States Census Bureau (2023). Quickfacts Mississippi.