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Show Infant Mortality (1997 Total Deaths in Utah = 207) Infant mortality is classified as death of individuals under one year of age per 1,000 live births. In Utah and the United States, infant deaths have been generally decreasing since 1950. The rate of decrease has been substantial in both Utah and the Nation, with the 1997 rates being nearly a quarter of the 1950 rates. In 1995, Utah reached an all time low rate of 5.2. The 1997 U.S. rate of 7.1 is the lowest rate in recorded history. The downward trend is significant in many ways. It suggests success in programs aimed at reducing infant mortality such as better prenatal care, improved care of high risk pregnancies and high risk infants, as well as increased education of new mothers. Infant death rates are also considered good indicators of the overall health status of a community or population. Further analysis of infant mortality rates in population subgroups may reveal disparities between racial, ethnic, education level, or other subgroups. This information could prove important in identifying where health care needs are not yet met within a community and programs could be specifically designed to assist targeted groups. Measures of infant mortality by race are becoming increasingly useful because it allows public health programs to target groups needing the most help. State and Federal revenues can then help those targeted areas. Table 27. Infant Mortality* Year Utah U.S. Year Utah U.S. 1950 23.9 29.2 1974 12.2 16.7 1951 24.9 28.4 1975 13.1 16.1 1952 24.9 28.4 1976 11.7 15.2 1953 24.0 27.8 1977 10.0 14.1 1954 20.8 26.6 1978 11.4 13.8 1955 20.6 26.4 1979 10.7 13.1 1956 22.9 26.0 1980 10.4 12.6 1957 21.5 26.3 1981 9.8 11.9 1958 22.2 27.1 1982 11.0 11.5 1959 20.0 26.4 1983 8.7 11.2 1960 19.7 26.0 1984 9.1 10.8 1961 20.2 25.3 1985 9.6 10.6 1962 20.0 25.3 1986 8.5 10.4 1963 18.6 25.2 1987 8.8 10.1 1964 20.2 24.8 1988 8.0 9.9 1965 18.8 24.7 1989 8.0 9.7 1966 18.3 23.7 1990 7.4 9.2 1967 16.7 22.4 1991 6.2 8.9 1968 17.7 21.8 1992 5.9 8.5 1969 15.8 20.9 1994 6.1 7.9 1970 15.0 20.0 1995 5.2 8.0 1972 13.4 18.5 1996 5.9 7.3 1973 12.7 17.7 1997 5.8 7.1 *Rate per 1,000 resident live births. Table 27. Source: U.S. Utah Dept. of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Unpublished Report. Utah: Utah Department of Health, Utah Birth and Death Certificate Internet-Query System RegistrationrOn-linei. Available: Http://www.health.state.ut.us/action2000 Both Utah (p<0.0001, slope = -0.4351, r2 = 0.9696) and the U.S. (p<0.0001, slope = -0.5281, r2 = 0.9713) showed significant linear decreases in infant mortality from 1950 to 1997. Figure 13__________________________________________________________________ Infant Mortality 40 Deaths Under One 30 Year of Age per 20 1,000 live Births io 0 Utah U.S. H------1 I-------1------h (5b ° 71 |