Infant mortality in the US rose 3% in 2022, marking 2nd year of increases: CDC
SUMMARY
A new federal report reveals a 3% rise in infant mortality rates in the U.S. for 2022, with the rate climbing from 5.44 to 5.61 deaths per 1,000 live births. This increase, amounting to a total of 20,577 infant deaths, marks the second consecutive year of rising rates. While lower than the 7.57 per 1,000 recorded in 1995, the rise is concerning given the overall downward trend in past decades. Dr. James Greenberg of Cincinnati Children's Hospital pointed to racial disparities, with Black infants experiencing the highest mortality rate at 10.90 per 1,000 live births. The report also found increases in mortality for infants of American Indian/Alaska Native and Dominican women. The South and Rust Belt regions reported the highest rates.Factors potentially contributing to the rise include preterm births, a challenging RSV and flu season, and the impacts of COVID-19.
