Brandon D Tomlin1, Ryan M McAdams1, Jasmine Y Zapata1, Dinushan C Kaluarachchi2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. kaluarachchi@pediatrics.wisc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Wisconsin has the highest Black infant mortality rate (IMR) in the nation. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate factors associated with racial inequity in IMR in Wisconsin. STUDY DESIGN: Births/deaths/IMR for Black and White infants from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health system, stratified by gestational age (GA), and compared using direct adjustment method. IMR were compared based on cause of death, maternal age, and education. RESULTS: Crude and adjusted IMR was 13.7 and 9.1 for black infants. Respective IMR for white infants was 4.8 and 5.3. Crude IMR was 180% higher in Black infants. After controlling for GA, IMR among Black infants was 70% higher. In term Black infants, deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidents, and assaults were markedly high. CONCLUSIONS: Higher IMR in Black infants was due to increased premature births and increased mortality among term infants. Potentially modifiable causes of death were SIDS, accidents, and assaults.
BACKGROUND: Wisconsin has the highest Black infant mortality rate (IMR) in the nation. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate factors associated with racial inequity in IMR in Wisconsin. STUDY DESIGN: Births/deaths/IMR for Black and White infants from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health system, stratified by gestational age (GA), and compared using direct adjustment method. IMR were compared based on cause of death, maternal age, and education. RESULTS: Crude and adjusted IMR was 13.7 and 9.1 for black infants. Respective IMR for white infants was 4.8 and 5.3. Crude IMR was 180% higher in Black infants. After controlling for GA, IMR among Black infants was 70% higher. In term Black infants, deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidents, and assaults were markedly high. CONCLUSIONS: Higher IMR in Black infants was due to increased premature births and increased mortality among term infants. Potentially modifiable causes of death were SIDS, accidents, and assaults.