Healthy Beginnings / Reducing Infant Mortality

Reducing Infant Mortality2025-05-14T15:18:03-07:00

California’s infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the nation.1

Infant mortality is an important indicator of the overall health of the population. The infant mortality rate is a highly sensitive measure of population health because there is an association between the causes of infant mortality and other factors that influence the health status of entire populations such as economic development, general living conditions, social well-being, rates of illness, quality and access to medical care, public health practices, and quality of the environment.

California has one of the lowest mortality infant rates in the nation. However, significant disparities persist, with respect to race and ethnicity, geography, and other socio-demographic characteristics. Reducing infant deaths is complex, requiring wide-ranging approaches and cross-sector collaborations.

This indicator tracks the number of deaths in infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births.

Infant Mortality

In 2021 (baseline year), there were 4.1 deaths in infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. The most recent rate available is 4.1 (2021). We hope to reach a target of 3.72 or lower by 2034.

More Data about Infant Mortality

Baseline

4.1

Current Rate

4.1

Target

3.72

Indicator Highlights

Data Snapshot

Infant Mortality Rate per 1,000 Live Births, Over Time

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Infant Mortality Rate per 1,000 Live Births, by Demographic Category

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Infant Mortality Rate per 1,000 Live Births, by County

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Indicator: Infant Mortality Rate per 1,000 Live Births

Description: Infant Mortality is defined as the number of deaths in infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. Data are from the Birth Cohort Files. The infant mortality indicator computed from the birth cohort file comprises birth certificate information on all births that occur in a calendar year (denominator) plus death certificate information linked to the birth certificate for those infants who were born in that year but subsequently died within 12 months of birth (numerator).

Data Limitations: The California Infant Mortality Rate cannot be compared to the national infant mortality rate published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. The national data source uses the 2021 period linked file, which consists of all infant deaths occurring in 2021 that have been linked to their corresponding birth certificates, whether the birth occurred in 2020 or in 2021. The California Infant Mortality Rate is based on the birth cohort linked file, which contains a numerator that consists of all infant deaths to babies born in a single year whether the death occurred in that year or the next.

Indicator Source: California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division.

Indicator Calculation Methodology:  Single year shown to provide state-level data and county totals for the most recent year. Numerator: Infants deaths (under age 1 year). Denominator: Live births occurring to California state residents. Multiple years aggregated to allow for stratifications at the county level.

Data Collection Methodology: The Birth Cohort Files contain data for all live births that occurred in a calendar year, death information for those infants who were born in that year but subsequently died within 12 months of birth, and all fetal deaths that also occurred during that calendar year.

Program URL Link: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/Pages/default.aspx

Reporting Cycle: Annual

1. California Department of Public Health. (June 7, 2024). California Infant Mortality Dashboard. Retrieved December 2024, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/surveillance/Pages/Infant-Mortality.aspx

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (September 16, 2024) Maternal Infant Health. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from Infant Mortality | Maternal Infant Health | CDC

3. March of Dimes How can stress affect your pregnancy? Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/stress-and-pregnancy#:~:text=High%20levels%20of%20stress%20that,5%20pounds%2C%208%20ounces

4. RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America. (2009). Beyond Health Care. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

5. 2011 California Birth Cohort File

6. 2009- 2011 California Birth Cohort Files

7.  California Department of Public Health. (October 4, 2023). Centering Black Mothers in California. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from Centering Black Mothers.

Stories & Solutions

Text4baby

The Text4baby app provides free text messages to help keep you and your baby healthy. 

The California Newborn Screening Program

The California Newborn Screening (NBS) Program is the largest newborn screening program in the world, screening over 99% of babies every year in California for 80 different genetic and congenital disorders.

The California Prenatal Screening Program Story

The California Prenatal Screening Program helps to optimize pregnancy outcomes by offering accurate screening for birth defects and genetic conditions along with timely and effective follow-up services, including genetic counseling, for all pregnant women in California. 

Getting the Right Level of Care

Ensuring mom and baby have access to hospitals with the right level of quality health care is an important and necessary health systems solution to reduce infant mortality.

California Home Visiting Program (CHVP)

Home visiting programs pair at-risk and expecting parents with public health nurses or para-professionals who offer an intensive, positive parenting program to help vulnerable families independently raise their children.

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