Trends in Differences in US Mortality Rates Between Black and White Infants

Abstract

This study investigates recent trends in the absolute difference in overall and cause-specific infant mortality rates between non-Hispanic black infants and white infants.

Figure 1.. Infant Mortality and Excess Risk of Death for Non-Hispanic Black Infants Compared With White Infants, United States, 2005-2015

A, The infant mortality rate for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 14.3 vs 5.7 deaths per 1000 births; in 2012, 11.6 vs 5.0; and in 2015, 11.7 vs 4.8. B, The difference in mortality rate for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 8.6 deaths per 1000 births; in 2012, 6.6; and in 2015, 6.9. The dotted lines indicate the years 2005, 2012, and 2015.

Figure 2.. Trends in Cause of Death–Specific Mortality for Infant Death for Non-Hispanic Black Infants and White Infants, United States, 2005-2015

A, The infant mortality rate for short gestation and low birthweight for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 309.2 vs 78.2 deaths per 100 000 births; in 2012, 263.4 vs 74.5; and in 2015, 256.9 vs 69.7. B, The infant mortality rate for congenital malformations for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 176.3 vs 124.9; in 2012, 155.1 vs 116.5; and in 2015, 157.9 vs 111.4. C, The infant mortality rate for sudden infant death syndrome for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 111.3 vs 52.5; in 2012, 88.8 vs 40.3; and in 2015, 87.1 vs 36.2. D, The infant mortality rate for maternal complications for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 109.1 vs 32.9; in 2012, 80.5 vs 29.8; and in 2015, 77.8 vs 28.4. E, The infant mortality rate for all other causes for black infants vs white infants in 2005 was 721.9 vs 282.8; in 2012, 571.6 vs 235.6; and in 2015, 593.0 vs 236.7. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision categories taken from the National Center for Health Statistics list of 130 causes of infant death: disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified (P07); congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99); sudden infant death syndrome (R95); newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy (P01); all other causes (all other codes). The dotted lines indicate the years 2005, 2012, and 2015.