Infant Mortality Within the United States

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Infant Mortality Within the United States

Herein I briefly overview the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) within the United States. Initially, I discuss specific causes of infant death and then, contributing factors which put babies at risk. Next, the distribution of various IMR is surveyed on a state to state basis. States possessing the ten highest infant mortality rates are discussed, including possible reasons for higher IMR. In addition, those states with the ten lowest IMR are mentioned. In conclusion, I consider preventative measures for minimizing the number of babies that die each year.

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Introduction

Every eight seconds a baby is born in the United Sates (U.S.), and within one hour four babies die (1). The infant mortality rate (IMR) measures the rate at which babies die before their first birthday and is calculated per 1,000 live births. According to government figures 7.2 babies out of every 1,000 born in 1996 died (2, p 6). Although this figure declines steadily each year and is 406% lower than the 1950 figure (3) the United States IMR is still higher than twenty four other nations (1). More importantly, the IMR for black U.S. citizens is over twice the rate of white citizens (6.3 and 14.6 respectively) (4, p 9). The National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality even calls some regions "disaster areas" (5, p 18). What are the leading causes of infant death, and what areas within the United States are most affected? What preventative measures can ensure a child its first birthday? These questions are addressed herein. In addition, certain National Standards for Geography are met.

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Applicable National Standards

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Rawlings, James S.; Rawlings, Virginia B.; Read, John A. "Prevalence of Low Birthweight and Preterm Delivery in Relation to the Interval between Pregnancies among White and Black Women." The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 332, No 2, 1995, p 69-75.

Scott, J. "Black Infant Death Rate 2 ½ Times That of Whites." Los Angeles Times, 1991 Nov 15, 110 (347), A35.

Steinbrook, R. "Black Infant Deaths Tied to Birthweight." Los Angeles Times, 111 (184), 4 Jun 1992, A26.

"Ten Leading Causes of Infant Mortality," Infant Health Statistics. 1997. http://www.mofimes.org/stats/ten.htm (11 April 1998).

Ventura, Stephanie J.; Kimberley D. Peters; Joyce A. Martin; Jeffrey D. Maurer. Monthly Vital Statistics Report, Vol.46, No. 1 Supplement 2, 11 Sept. 1997, p 6.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchswww/products/pubs/pubd/mvsr/supp/46-45/46-45.htm (11 April 1998).

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