TCC Report Card 2017 - Infant Mortality

INFANT MORTALITY GOAL: All infants in Calhoun County will be born healthy and thrive

HOW ARE WE DOING? Infant mortality is defined as the death of a baby before his or her first birthday. Infant mortality rates are used as a national health indicator. In both Michigan and Calhoun County, extensive differences are seen in infant mortality rates by race and ethnicity. The 2013-2015 (threeyear moving average) mortality rate for Black infants was 2.8 times higher than for White infants in Calhoun County. While a disparity still exists, the county has seen a significant decrease in infant mortality rates among Black infants in the past six years. A decrease in infant mortality rates in White infants has also been observed, although the decrease is not as substantial when compared to Black infant mortality rates. Based on 15 associations analyzed for statistical significance, the strongest risk factors for infant mortality in Calhoun County from 2011-2015 were prematurity, very low birth weight, and maternal education level (less than a high school degree). The strongest modifiable risk factors were prematurity, low and very low birthweight, maternal tobacco use and below recommended maternal weight gain.