Infant Mortality
Date Updated: 10/31/2011
Chart Directory:
The infant mortality rate is measured as the deaths per 1,000 children during their first year of life divided by the number of live births. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the top five causes of infant deaths nationally in 2007 (latest data available) were:
- Congenital Anomalies
- Pre-Term/Low Birth Weight Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Problems Related to Complications of Pregnancy
- Unintentional Injury
According to the Centers for Disease Control, [pdf], infant mortality is one of the most important indicators of the health of a nation, as it is associated with a variety of factors such as maternal health, quality and access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions, and public health practices.
Care should be taken in comparing infant mortality rates amongst countries because the methodology differs from country to country.
What this chart shows: Infant Mortality Rate in Colorado & Larimer County, 2001 - 2010
Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
What the above data tell us:
In 2010, there were 329 infant deaths in Colorado and 16 in Larimer County. The ten-year average rate of mortality (from 2001 to 2010) was higher for Colorado than for Larimer County (6.1 per 1,000 live births compared to 5.0 per 1,000).What this chart shows: Infant Mortality Rate by Gender in Larimer County, 2001-2010
Data source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
What the above data tell us:
In Larimer County, both male and female infant mortality rates have fluctuated over the last 10 years. Normally male infant mortality rates are slightly higher than female rates, but in Larimer County that was not the case in 2005, 2006 and 2007. One possible explanation is that the raw numbers in Larimer County are relatively low, so even slight deviations equate to higher percentages.Although 52% of the live births in Larimer County in 2010 were males, they represented 56% of the infant deaths (see data table). Male infants are known to have a higher mortality rate than female infants, in part, because they are at higher risk for premature birth (National Center for Health Statistics).
Additional Information:
Related Information on COMPASS -
- Adult Alcohol Use
- Birth Defects
- Low Birthweight Babies
- Perinatal Alcohol and Tobacco Use
- Population Size & Growth
- Prenatal Care
- Teen Fertility Rates
Other Resources -
- Behind International Rankings of Infant Mortality: How the United States Compares with Europe, [pdf], Centers for Disease Control, November 2009
- Infant Mortality Statistics From the 2007 Period, [pdf], Centers for Disease Control, June 2011
- Larimer County Health Department
- Centers for Disease Control, Office of Minority Health - Eliminate Disparities in Infant Mortality
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - the Colorado Health Information Dataset (COHID) is a searchable database with information on pregnancy, newborns, birth defects, etc.
Industry Standards or Targets:
Healthy People 2010
- Objective 16-1. Reduction in Fetal and Infant Deaths
Data Tables:
Infant Mortality Rate (Rate per 1,000)
|
|
Colorado |
Larimer County |
||||
|
Total Deaths |
Number Live Births |
Infant Mortality Rate |
Total Deaths |
Number Live Births |
Infant Mortality Rate |
|
|
2001 |
387 |
67,006 |
5.8 |
17 |
3,282 |
5.2 |
|
2002 |
413 |
68,420 |
6.0 |
16 |
3,298 |
4.9 |
|
2003 |
419 |
69,304 |
6.0 |
23 |
3,500 |
6.6 |
|
2004 |
432 |
68,475 |
6.3 |
12 |
3,370 |
3.6 |
|
2005 |
444 |
68,922 |
6.4 |
22 |
3,446 |
6.4 |
|
2006 |
404 |
70,737 |
5.7 |
16 |
3,542 |
4.5 |
|
2007 |
433 |
70,804 |
6.1 |
12 |
3,471 |
3.5 |
|
2008 |
434 |
70,028 |
6.1 |
22 |
3,491 |
6.2 |
|
2009 |
429 |
68,605 |
6.3 |
15 |
3,502 |
4.3 |
|
2010 |
392 |
66,346 |
5.9 |
16 |
3,361 |
4.8 |
Infant Mortality Rate by Gender - Larimer County (Rate per 1,000)
|
|
Male |
Female |
||||
|
Total Deaths |
Number Live Births |
Infant Mortality Rate |
Total Deaths |
Number Live Births |
Infant Mortality Rate |
|
|
2001 |
12 | 1,693 | 7.1 | 5 | 1,589 | 3.1 |
|
2002 |
9 | 1,681 | 5.4 | 7 | 1,617 | 4.3 |
|
2003 |
13 | 1,845 | 7.0 | 10 | 1,655 | 6.0 |
|
2004 |
7 | 1,735 | 4.0 | 5 | 1,635 | 3.1 |
|
2005 |
11 | 1,773 | 6.2 | 11 | 1,673 | 6.6 |
|
2006 |
7 | 1,798 | 3.9 | 9 | 1,744 | 5.2 |
|
2007 |
6 | 1,824 | 3.3 | 6 | 1,647 | 3.6 |
|
2008 |
12 | 1,812 | 6.6 | 10 | 1,679 | 5.8 |
|
2009 |
8 | 1,775 | 4.5 | 7 | 1,727 | 4.1 |
|
2010 |
9 | 1,747 | 5.2 | 7 | 1,614 | 4.3 |
Percentage of Live Births/Infant Deaths by Gender - Larimer County
|
|
Male |
Female |
||
|
% of Total |
% of Total Deaths |
% of Total |
% of Total Deaths |
|
|
2001 |
52% | 71% | 48% | 29% |
|
2002 |
51% | 56% | 49% | 44% |
|
2003 |
53% | 57% | 47% | 43% |
|
2004 |
51% | 58% | 49% | 42% |
|
2005 |
51% | 50% | 49% | 50% |
|
2006 |
51% | 44% | 49% | 56% |
|
2007 |
53% | 50% | 47% | 50% |
|
2008 |
52% | 55% | 48% | 45% |
|
2009 |
51% | 53% | 49% | 47% |
|
2010 |
52% | 56% | 48% | 44% |