The US infant mortality rate rose last year. The CDC says it's the largest increase in two decades
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The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year, which is the largest increase in two decades. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows significant death rate increases for white and Native American infants, infant boys and babies born at 37 weeks or earlier.

The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year — the largest increase in two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

White and Native American infants, infant boys and babies born at 37 weeks or earlier had significant death rate increases. The CDC’s report, published Wednesday, also noted larger increases for two of the leading causes of infant deaths — maternal complications and bacterial meningitis.

“It’s definitely concerning, given that it’s going in the opposite direction from what it has been,” said Marie Thoma, a University of Maryland researcher who studies maternal and infant mortality.

  • nickwitha_k (he/him)
    4•8 months ago

    One of the other significant causes that relates back to your first point is a lack of staff, training, and established procedures for birthing complications. A substantial portion of infant and mother mortality in the US has been linked to a lack of investment in addressing preventable issues, because that costs shareholders more.