US infant mortality increased in 2022 for the first time in decades, CDC report shows

Infant Mortality Rate Increases in the US #

The infant mortality rate in the United States rose in 2022, the first jump in 20 years. More than 20,500 babies died before the age of 1, a 3% increase from the previous year. While the overall trend has been downward since 1995, rates remain higher than in many other countries. Experts express concern over this increase, emphasizing the importance of infant health as a public health indicator. The report highlights the leading causes of infant mortality, including congenital malformations, disorders related to gestation and birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, unintentional injuries, and maternal complications. The rate of infant deaths from maternal complications increased by 9%. Maternal health, high rates of death among women during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum, and the impact of Covid-19 are cited as contributing factors. The study also found disparities in infant mortality rates among racial and ethnic groups. The landscape of reproductive health in the US shifted after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Research has suggested a connection between infant mortality and abortion restrictions, particularly in Texas.