Show Infant Mortality 1998 Infant Deaths in Utah 257 Compiled by Doug Boudreaux Infant mortality is classified as death of individuals under one year of age per000 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 nearlyquarter of the 1950 rates In 1995 Utah reached an all time low rate of2 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 ofcommunity or population Further analysis of infant mortality rates in population subgroups may reveal disparities between racial ethnic This education level or other subgroups information could prove important in identifying where health care needs are not yet met withincommunity so that programs could be specifically designedassist targeted groups Measures of infant mortality by race are becoming increasingly useful because they allow public health programs to target groups needing the most help State and Federal revenues can then help those targeted areas Figure 11 Births Infant Mort Life Expectancy Table 28 Infant Mortality 1950-1998 Rate per000 rosident ive biths Bureau of oVital Statisis TRBl ource Utah Dept of Health Unpublished Report Utah Utah Department of Health Utah Bitth and Death Certficate Intemet-Quory System Registration Online health state ut us action2000 Figure 12 Infant Mortality Utah 1950-1998 300 20 20 150 100 100 o2 14 1006 1998 Cotorfor Health Staistcs Naional Source Onine www coc counche hm 82 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |