The term “infant mortality” refers to all deaths that occur within the first year of life, excluding fetal deaths by miscarriages and abortions. Infant mortality is frequently used to compare the overall health and well-being of populations across the United States and throughout the world. It has proven to be an accurate predictor of the state of health of a given area, population, or nation due to the number of contributing factors involved.

Louisiana is tied with Mississippi for the second highest infant mortality rate in the nation at 9.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the United Health Foundations 2005 report. The national infant mortality rate was 6.9 per 1,000 live births in 2003.

Many factors surrounding the conditions of birth contribute to infant mortality, including the mothers health, prenatal care and the overall quality of healthcare received by the mother and child. Socioeconomic status, education level and access to healthcare are also considered to be determining factors of infant mortality.

Louisianas infant mortality rate varies from a low of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births for non-Hispanic whites to a high of 13.7 deaths for non-Hispanic blacks. Various education and care programs have been shown to counteract such disparities and reduce the overall infant mortality rate. For more information on infant mortality visit the March of Dimes.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Infant Mortality

Comments

With low birth rate and the deaths of these babies. What type of education to health and reducing the stress that these mother suffer during their pregnancy are in place.
Elvira Jones on June 29th, 2008

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