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Index: Health / Subcategory: Physical Health

Infant Mortality

Date posted: 02/02/2009

The infant mortality rate is measured as the deaths per 1,000 children during their first year of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the top five causes of infant deaths nationally in 2005 (latest data available) were:

  1. Congenital Anomalies
  2. Pre-Term/Low Birth Weight
  3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  4. Problems Related to Complications of Pregnancy
  5. Cord and Placental Complications

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 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.

In 2004 (the latest year data are available for all countries), the United States ranked 29th in the world in infant mortality, tied with Poland and Slovakia. The United States' international ranking has fallen from 12th in 1960 to 23rd in 1990, and to 29th in 2004.

What this chart shows: Infant Mortality Rates - United States, Colorado, & Larimer County, 2000 - 2007

Infant Mortality Rates - United States, Colorado, & Larimer County, 2000 - 2007

* data from preliminary mortality file

** estimated

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Centers for Disease Control, World Factbook (CIA) (2007 data)

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2007, there were 433 infant deaths in Colorado and 12 in Larimer County. The eight-year average rate of mortality (from 2000 to 2007) was higher for Colorado than for Larimer County (6.1 per 1,000 compared to 5.0 per 1,000). Both Colorado and Larimer County's infant death rate has been consistently lower than the national average rate of 6.8 over the eight years, although there has been fluctuation in the individual rates from year to year.

In 2004, and again in 2007, Larimer County's infant mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 live births in 2004 and 2007) was better than the Healthy People 2010 target goal of 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2007, both the United States and Colorado infant mortality rates are approximately 40% higher than the goal.

What this chart shows: Infant Mortality Rates by Gender - Larimer County, 2000-2007

Infant Mortality Rates by Gender - Larimer County, 2000-2007

Data source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

See data table

What these data tell us:

In Larimer County, both male and female infant mortality rates have fluctuated from 2000 to 2007. Normally male infant mortality rates are slightly higher than female rates, but that has not been the case in Larimer County during 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. A five-year average (2002-2006) of infant deaths indicates that 53% were male, while only 51% of births were male. 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:

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Industry Standards or Targets:

Data Tables:

Infant Mortality Rate (Rate per 1,000)

 

Colorado

Larimer County

Total Deaths

Total

Live Births

Total Crude Death Rate

Total Deaths

Total

Live Births

Total Crude Death Rate

2000

402

61,159

6.6

16

3,033

5.3

2001

387

67,044

5.8

17

3,346

5.1

2002

413

67,879

6.1

16

3,307

4.8

2003

419

68,903

6.1

23

3,372

6.8

2004

432

68,954

6.3

12

3,437

3.5

2005

444

69,062

6.4

22

3,307

6.7

2006

404

69,798

5.8

16

3,313

4.8

2007

433

70,102

6.2

12

3,458

3.5

See chart

Infant Mortality Rate by Gender - Larimer County (Rate per 1,000)

 

Male

Female

Total Deaths

Total

Live Births

Crude Death Rate

Total Deaths

Total

Live Births

Crude Death Rate

2000

9

1,581

5.7

7

1,452

4.8

2001

12

1,713

7.0

5

1,633

3.1

2002

9

1,693

5.3

7

1,614

4.3

2003

13

1,727

7.5

10

1,645

6.1

2004

7

1,761

4.0

5

1,676

3.0

2005

11

1,694

6.5

11

1,613

6.8

2006

7

1,697

4.1

9

1,616

5.6

2007

6

1,771

3.4

6

1,687

3.6

See chart

Percentage of Live Births/Infant Deaths by Gender - Larimer County

 

 

Male

Female

% of Total

Live Births

% of Total Deaths

% of Total

Live Births

% of Total Deaths

2000

52%

56%

48%

44%

2001

51%

71%

49%

29%

2002

51%

56%

49%

44%

2003

51%

57%

49%

43%

2004

51%

58%

49%

42%

2005

51%

50%

49%

50%

2006

51%

44%

49%

56%

2007

n/a

50%

n/a

50%

See chart