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United States Value:
Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
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Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
CDC WONDER, Linked Birth/Infant Death Files
Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
CDC WONDER, Linked Birth/Infant Death Files
US Value: 3.7
Top State(s): New Hampshire: 2.3
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 5.2
Definition: Number of deaths during first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1,000 live births
Data Source and Years: CDC WONDER, Linked Birth/Infant Death Files, 2018-2019
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC WONDER, Linked Birth/Infant Death Files, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Infant mortality is a key indicator of population health and the effectiveness of the health care system in a country. Infant mortality is associated with many factors before, during and after birth, including maternal health, prenatal and postnatal care and access to quality health care. Deaths occurring between birth and 27 days (the neonatal period) account for two-thirds of all infant deaths. The leading causes of neonatal mortality are:
Significant sociodemographic disparities persist in neonatal mortality, predominantly by race. The prevalence of neonatal mortality is higher among:
Babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be born preterm, low birthweight and with birth defects, all of which are risk factors for neonatal mortality.
Key prenatal and postnatal strategies toward reducing the risk of neonatal and infant mortality include:
Reducing the infant mortality rate is a Healthy People 2030 objective.
Barfield, Wanda, Denise D’Angelo, Rachel Moon, Michael Lu, Betty Wong, and John Iskander. “CDC Grand Rounds: Public Health Approaches to Reducing U.S. Infant Mortality.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC Grand Rounds, 62, no. 31 (August 9, 2013): 625–28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604989/.
Chen, Alice, Emily Oster, and Heidi Williams. “Why Is Infant Mortality Higher in the United States than in Europe?” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 8, no. 2 (May 2016): 89–124. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20140224.
Ely, Danielle, and Anne Driscoll. “Infant Mortality in the United States, 2019: Data From the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File.” National Vital Statistics Reports 70, no. 14 (December 8, 2021). https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:111053.
Hodnett, Ellen D., Suzanne Fredericks, and Julie Weston. “Support during Pregnancy for Women at Increased Risk of Low Birthweight Babies.” Edited by Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 6 (June 16, 2010). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000198.pub2.
Komro, Kelli A., Melvin D. Livingston, Sara Markowitz, and Alexander C. Wagenaar. “The Effect of an Increased Minimum Wage on Infant Mortality and Birth Weight.” American Journal of Public Health 106, no. 8 (August 2016): 1514–16. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303268.
Meehan, Sean, Charles R. Beck, John Mair-Jenkins, Jo Leonardi-Bee, and Richard Puleston. “Maternal Obesity and Infant Mortality: A Meta-Analysis.” Pediatrics 133, no. 5 (May 1, 2014): 863–71. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-1480.
Singh, Gopal K., and Stella M. Yu. “Infant Mortality in the United States, 1915-2017: Large Social Inequalities Have Persisted for Over a Century.” International Journal of MCH and AIDS (IJMA) 8, no. 1 (March 20, 2019): 19–31. https://doi.org/10.21106/ijma.271.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.