September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month
In 2022, the National Healthy Start Association declared that every year, in September, we shall acknowledge Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Since then, it has been acknowledged around the world to shed light on the heartbreaking issue of infant loss. The first month of a child’s life on earth is the most vulnerable period and it requires extra care from mothers, and the combined efforts of communities, governments, and organizations to ensure that more infants have a fair chance at life. Despite advances in healthcare, infant mortality remains a pressing issue. In this article, we will look at the state of infant mortality in the US, as well as the global impact of this issue.
Infant Mortality in The US
Infant mortality refers to the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. According to HealthDay News, the US infant mortality rate has slightly risen for the first time in 2 decades and it is still quite high when compared to other developed nations. Overall, there were 5.6 infant deaths for every 1000 live births, a 3% increase from the year before (HealthDay 2024). In 2022, the CDC reported that the US Mortality rates were highest in the southern and mid-western states of South Dakota, Oklahoma, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Delaware. Some of the leading causes of infant mortality in the US in 2022 were Birth defects, Preterm birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Unintentional injuries, and Maternal pregnancy complications.
The Global Infant Mortality Rate
According to the World Health Organization, premature births, birth complications, neonatal infections, and congenital anomalies are the leading causes of neonatal deaths around the globe. There are approximately 6500 newborn deaths every day, amounting to 47% of all child deaths under the age of 5 years (WHO, 2024).
Overall. significant progress has been made around the globe as the neonatal mortality rate has been declining since 1990. According to Unicef, the global infant mortality rate declined between 2000 and 2022 when it reached a historic low. This is fueled by the efforts of Government Health Programs and vaccination programs, combined with increased access to healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and the modernization of technology around the globe. However, infants continue to face lower chances of survival if they are born in lower and middle-income countries.
What Can You Do to Help?
There are many ways you can contribute to tackling the infant mortality rate by:
1. Contributing to organizations, research institutes, and initiatives that are tackling infant mortality in the US and across the globe.
2. Educating mothers on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially during the fragile periods of pregnancy.
3. Supporting policies that promote increased access to healthcare, especially for pregnant women, infants, and low-income families.
4. Promoting healthy breastfeeding through education and support programs. Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants. For the baby, it helps to lower the risk of infections and harmful diseases. For the mother, it helps with postpartum recovery.
Final Thoughts
Infant mortality is a heartbreaking reality that affects families around the globe. During this Infant Mortality Awareness Month of 2024, let us take collective action to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. We hope you found this article informative. Please don’t forget to share to raise more awareness for Infant Mortality Awareness Month. You may also be interested in a previous article on providing healthy breastfeeding education to mothers and families.
Sources
www.cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/infant-mortality/index.html
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/newborn-mortality
www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-07-25/u-s-infant-deaths-rise-for-first-time-in-decades
