Infant deaths up across United States, Alabama above national average

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – For the first time in 20 years, more infants are dying in the United States.

A new report from the CDC shows infant mortality rates in the U.S. went up 3% in 2022.

“Infant mortality is a very good indicator of how we’re doing as a society with our healthcare, and so, the increase is always concerning whether that’s in Alabama or whether that’s nationwide,” said Dr. Wes Stubblefield with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).

ADPH says the infant mortality in the state is above the national average.

The national infant mortality rate was 5.6 deaths per thousand live births in 2022. In Alabama, ADPH says it was 6.7 deaths per thousand.

Birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome are major factors.

Stubblefield says there are also disparities in Alabama. More Black infants are dying.

“There’s a lot of reasons that go into that, some of it has to do with healthcare access,” the doctor said.

Of the 14 states that enacted near-total abortion bans in 2022, like Alabama, all but two states had a higher-than-average infant mortality rate that same year.

However, Alabama is seeing some improvement.

ADPH says infant mortality was lower in 2022 than the previous year and says it continues to work with the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature to secure funding.

“Home visiting programs, promoting safe sleep awareness through education, using screening to ensure that mothers who are identified that have substance abuse disorders are referred for treatment,” Stubblefield said.

County-by-county infant mortality rates from ADPH can be viewed here.

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