Kaiser Daily Reproductive
Health Report
Thursday, July 28, 2005
U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Increases in 2002 for First Time in
40 Years, Annual Kids Count Report Says
The U.S. infant mortality rate increased in 2002 for the first
time in more than 40 years to seven deaths per 1,000 live births,
according to the annual Kids Count report released on Tuesday,
the Baltimore Sun reports (Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 7/27). The
report, compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, used data from
2002 and 2003 to rank the 50 states and Washington, D.C., on 10
indicators of child well-being, including infant mortality and
teen birth rates (Isaacs, Lexington Herald-Leader, 7/27). In 2001,
the national infant mortality rate was 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live
births (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 6/4/04). According
to William O'Hare, the director of Kids Count, the increase is "cause
for concern" because the statistics are used to measure societal
well-being and could indicate deterioration in support networks
(Baltimore Sun, 7/27). The report also found the U.S. teen birth
rate decreased from 48 births per 1,000 girls in 2000 to 43 births
per 1,000 in 2003, USA Today reports (Toppo, USA Today, 7/27).
In addition, 7.8% of infants nationwide weighed less than 5.5 pounds
at birth in 2002, according to the report (Lexington Herald-Leader,
7/27). The rate was 7.7% in 2001 (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health
Report, 6/4/04). Overall, New Hampshire ranked first in child well-being
and Mississippi ranked last (Edmondson, Memphis Commercial Appeal,
7/27). Foundation President Douglas Nelson said that the report
indicates "the end of a lot of good trends," adding, "Clearly,
some of that momentum and progress has stalled or been compromised.
We think it's cause for pause" (USA Today, 7/27).
http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/sld/databook.jsp
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