Racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality--United States, 1995-2002

Abstract

A national health objective for the year 2000 was to reduce the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the United States to 7.0 deaths per 1,000 live births among infants aged <1 year. The national health objective for 2010 targets a rate of 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births; an overarching goal calls for eliminating disparities among racial and ethnic populations. To examine racial and ethnic disparities in IMRs, data were analyzed from the National Vital Statistics System for the period 1995-2002. IMRs were calculated by race/ethnicity of the mother in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). During 1995-2002, the overall IMR in the United States declined from 7.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 1995 to 6.8 in 2001, and then increased to 7.0 in 2002. On the basis of data for 1995-2002 combined, the target of 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births had been achieved by few racial/ethnic populations in few states. To reach the target in all racial/ethnic populations, strategies should identify and address those factors that contribute to high IMRs and disparities among populations.