This document discusses infant mortality rates around the world. It defines infant mortality as deaths of children under age 1. The world infant mortality rate in 2008 was 49 per 1000 live births, while rates were lower in more developed countries (6 per 1000) and higher in less developed and least developed countries (54 and 85 per 1000, respectively). Infant mortality is an important indicator of overall health conditions and levels of development within a country. Many infant deaths are preventable through improved medical care and interventions.

1. 1
INFANT MORTALITY

2. Infant Mortality
2
 Neo-natal mortality rate
 Post neo-natal mortality rate
 Child mortality rates
 Children aged 5 and under

3. Infant Mortality
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 World IMR (2008) = 49 per 1000
 MDCs IMR = 6 per 1000
 LDCs IMR = 54 per 1000
 Least Developed Countries = 85 per 1000

4. Infant Mortality
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 Country with lowest IMR
 China/Hong Kong = 1.6
 Country with highest IMR
 Afghanistan= 163
 World Population Data Sheet (pg. 2)

5. Infant Mortality
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 Why is it important to study?
A large % of all deaths occur among infants in
high mortality countries
 It is a very sensitive event
 Responds well to intervention
 It is an index of the general medical and public health
conditions of a country

6. Infant Mortality
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 Many deaths in this age group are preventable
 Low birth weight
 Jaundice
 Gastroenteritis
 Pneumonia
 and therefore IMR decreases dramatically as
medical care is improved
 For this reason IMR is seen as an accurate
indicator of development
 Healthy People 2010 goal: IMR = 4.5

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8. Infant Mortality
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 Infant Mortality
 Other factors which affect IMR which are linked to
development
 Status of women and income
 Educational level of mother
 Age of mother
 Also birth interval

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10. Infant Mortality
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 Within the US
 US is ranked 29th among all countries in IMR
 IMR varies by race/ethnicity of mother

11. Infant Mortality Among Blacks, Whites and Others. USA. 1979-2002 .
2,500.00
Black
Infant Deaths per 100,000 Live Births
White
Other
2,000.00
1,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
0.00
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Years
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Source: Fry-Johnson, Rowley, Rust & Levine, 2006.

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Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2005

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Source: Michigan Department of Community Health, 2009

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Source: Michigan Department of Community Health, 2009