Infant Mortality
Infant mortality is used to compare the health and well-being of populations across and within countries. The infant mortality rate, the rate at which babies less than one year of age die, has continued to steadily decline over the past several decades in the United States from 26.0 per 1,000 live births in 1960 to 6.9 per 1,000 live births in 2000. The United States reported its lowest rate of infant mortality of 6.43 per 1,000 live births in 2006.
In 2004, there were 33 infant deaths in Newport News. The overall infant death rate was 10.3 per 1,000 live births. In 2000, the infant death rate was 11.5 per 1,000 live births in the city. The infant death rate in Newport News is higher than the statewide rate of 7.4 per 1,000 live births, but is comparable to the infant death rate for Hampton Roads. Statewide, in Hampton Roads, and for Newport News, the infant death rate for black infants continues to exceed the death rate for white infants.
Trends of infant mortality have also indicated disparity between races. Even though infant mortality is at an all time low in Virginia, the rate for blacks (14.4 in 2004) is significantly higher than the rate for whites (8.7 in 2004). Community efforts in reducing infant mortality will be more effective when focused on these and other identified high-risk groups. Emphasis can be placed on modifying behaviors, lifestyles and conditions that affect birth outcomes such as smoking, substance abuse, poor nutrition, lack of prenatal care, medical problems and chronic illness.