BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Alabama’s infant mortality rate has consistently increased over the years and is currently worse than the national average.
The CDC defines infababies died in Alabama, and in 2023, that number rose to 449. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, various factors contribute to this alarming trend, including healthcare and racial disparities.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that black babies die at roughly twice the rate of white babies. Access to prenatal care can be limited in some areas, and in certain instances, hospitals are too far away for mothers to reach.
Honour Hill, Director of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives at March of Dimes, states that the rate of preterm births—when babies are born before 37 weeks—is also rising in Alabama, which can lead to long-term health issues for infants.
“We know that preterm birth leads to many different complications, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss. There are long-term effects from being born too soon, so we want to prevent those,” says Hill.
Last week, March of Dimes released their annual report card grading states on maternal and infant health. Alabama received an F.
WBRC asked ADPH a series of questions about infant mortality rates. Here is what they shared:
What are some of the reasons for the high number of infant deaths in Alabama?
Several factors impact infant mortality, such as pre-existing chronic conditions in pregnant women, like hypertension and diabetes, poverty, lack of education and access to care. With the closure of labor and delivery services in several of our rural hospitals and fewer medical providers in our rural counties, women must travel farther for obstetrical services, and transportation is often an obstacle.
Can parents or healthcare providers prevent these? Can expectant moms do something during their pregnancy to protect their babies?
Women should try to address chronic conditions prior to pregnancy so that they are at their healthiest during pregnancy, start prenatal care as early as possible and keep all of their appointments, count fetal kicks in the last month of pregnancy, and follow the ABC’s of Safe Sleep – Alone on their Back in an empty Crib on a safe, firm mattress. If families do not have a safe place for their infant to sleep, they can receive a crib from ADPH through our Cribs for Kids program.
We saw birth defects as one reason why infants are passing away. How can these defects be prevented?
Congenital anomalies are the leading cause of infant deaths and cannot be prevented. However, short gestation and low birth weight babies can be prevented by focusing on health prior to pregnancy and keeping prenatal care appointments throughout their pregnancy.
Do health care disparities play a role in the deaths that we are seeing?
Yes. The rate for Black infants is 2 1/2 times higher than for white infants. As mentioned earlier, poverty, educational levels, and access are factors, particularly for our minority population.
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