Infants born in rural America have a higher mortality rate than their urban and suburban counterparts, especially African-Americans, but a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that urban infants are more likely to die from certain causes than rural infants.
The five leading causes of infant death from 2005 to 2015 are congenital malformations, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, maternal complications and unintentional injuries. By studying data from the National Vital Statistics System from 2013 to 2015, researchers discovered that infant mortality rates for congenital malformations, SIDS and unintentional injuries were higher in rural areas, but rates for low birth weight and maternal complications were higher in urban areas.
"While the purpose of the report was simply to document the numbers, study authors Danielle Ely and Donna Hoyert theorized that some of the gap 'could be related to differences in conditions during pregnancy.' Past research has shown that poverty, smoking and other maternal health behaviors during pregnancy and less access to care all can impact infant mortality," Ariana Eunjung Cha reports for The Washington Post.
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| Rates for the five leading causes of infant death, by urbanization level (Natl. Center for Health Statistics chart; click on it for a larger version) |
"While the purpose of the report was simply to document the numbers, study authors Danielle Ely and Donna Hoyert theorized that some of the gap 'could be related to differences in conditions during pregnancy.' Past research has shown that poverty, smoking and other maternal health behaviors during pregnancy and less access to care all can impact infant mortality," Ariana Eunjung Cha reports for The Washington Post.
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