Infant Mortality
Goal: All infants born in Saginaw County will thrive and mature into healthy toddlers.
Measure
The percentage of deaths among infants aged 0-1 per 1,000 live births.
Why This Indicator is Important
The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the industrialized world, particularly among African Americans. The primary causes of infant mortality are birth defects, disorders related to short gestation/low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and issues related to pregnancy and birth, including substance abuse. Adequate prenatal and well-child prevention care visits offer opportunities to identify some risk factors for infant mortality.
How Are We Doing?
Race disparities have persisted in Saginaw County, with African American infants dying at a higher rate than the state average and at a higher rate than white infants both county and statewide.
The United States average of infant deaths per 1000 live births has remained at 6.8 overall (5.7 for whites and 13.5 for African Americans). Michigan’s average remains higher than the U.S. and Saginaw County’s is higher than both the state and national averages. Upon further examination, whites in Saginaw are below the national and Michigan averages but African Americans in Michigan (15.5 from 2007-2009) and Saginaw County (19.1 from 2007-2009) are well above the national average.
The United States average of infant deaths per 1000 live births has remained at 6.8 overall (5.7 for whites and 13.5 for African Americans). Michigan’s average remains higher than the U.S. and Saginaw County’s is higher than both the state and national averages. Upon further examination, whites in Saginaw are below the national and Michigan averages but African Americans in Michigan (15.5 from 2007-2009) and Saginaw County (19.1 from 2007-2009) are well above the national average.
How Can You Have An Impact?
- Support Maternal and Infant Service Programs.
- Ensure expecting parents receive adequate prenatal care and preconception care.
- Instruct new parents to place infants on their backs to sleep.
- Encourage new parents to have infants sleep in their own cribs.
- Educate expecting parents not to smoke during pregnancy or around babies.
- Educate expecting parents not to drink alcohol or use unprescribed drugs during pregnancy.
- Instruct new parents not to place toys or pillows in the crib.
- Raise awareness of ways to prevent unintended pregnancies (e.g., family planning services/contraceptives).
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