Infant mortality by race/ethnicity, detailed in Maine

Infant mortality is an important marker of the overall health of a society.  Structural factors affecting the health of entire populations have an impact on the mortality rate of infants. Nationally, due to systemic and structural racism, Infants of Black women had the highest mortality rate

The latest national data shows that the infant mortality in the United States in 2022was 5.6 per 1,000 live births while for Blacks it was dearly double that at 10.55. The most common causes of infant death in the United States were the following: birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), pregnancy complications and accidents. CDC Facts about Infant Mortality

What the data shows
In Maine, the pattern of infants of Black mothers being more likely to die in their first year of life is also present in Maine. At 9.1 compared to 5.8 per 1,000 infants born, their rate is 58% higher than the state rate. American Indian infants have an even higher rate at 11.5 for 2018-2022, although that number is considered unstable due to small numbers.

Infant mortality is an important marker of the overall health of a society.  Structural factors affecting the health of entire populations have an impact on the mortality rate of infants. Nationally, due to systemic and structural racism, Infants of Black women had the highest mortality rate

The latest national data shows that the infant mortality in the United States in 2022was 5.6 per 1,000 live births while for Blacks it was dearly double that at 10.55. The most common causes of infant death in the United States were the following: birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), pregnancy complications and accidents. CDC Facts about Infant Mortality

What the data shows
In Maine, the pattern of infants of Black mothers being more likely to die in their first year of life is also present in Maine. At 9.1 compared to 5.8 per 1,000 infants born, their rate is 58% higher than the state rate. American Indian infants have an even higher rate at 11.5 for 2018-2022, although that number is considered unstable due to small numbers.