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 29^th in the world in infant mortality, tied with Poland and Slovakia. The United States' international ranking has fallen from 12^th in 1960 to 23^rd in 1990, and to 29^th in 2004.

What this chart shows: 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

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 -

• Adult Alcohol Use
• Birth Defects
• Low Birth Weight Babies
• Perinatal Alcohol & Tobacco Use
• Population Size & Growth
• Prenatal Care
• Teen Fertility & Birth Rates

Outside Compass -

• 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.
• Infant Mortality Rates Vary by Race and Ethnicity, Adoption.com by CDC
• Recent Trends in Infant Mortality in the United States, Centers for Disease Control, October 2008

Industry Standards or Targets:

• Healthy People 2010 Objective 16-1

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

© 2004-2009 Larimer County | About | Newsletter | Site Map | Feedback