State health officials: Infant mortality rates declined over past two decades

MADISON – State health officials say updated data reported during Infant Mortality Awareness Month shows some decline in the infant mortality rate in Wisconsin during the past two decades -- though health officials say the state's rate is still unacceptably high.

The overall infant mortality rate in Wisconsin declined from 8.0 to 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, based on three-year averages, but the gains did not fully extend to minority groups. For 2008-2010, African American infants were 2.7 times as likely to die before reaching their first birthday as an infant born to a white woman.

In 2010, 393 Wisconsin infants died during the first year of life: 247 were white, 95 were African American, 29 were Hispanic/Latino, six were American Indian, eight were Laotian and Hmong, and eight were of other race or unknown origin.

Health officials are involved in several programs around the state that target different causes of infant mortality. These include:

    For information on programs and resources to reduce infant mortality and improve infant health: CLICK HERE.

    CLICK HERE for additional information and resources on Infant Mortality via United Way’s website.

    CLICK HERE for safe sleeping tips for infants via the Milwaukee Health Department’s website.

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