CDC: Infant mortality rates decline over decade for most racial/ethnic groups

U.S. infant mortality declined between 2005 and 2014 for all major racial and ethnic groups except American Indians/Alaska Natives, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates declined 21% among Asian/Pacific Islander women, 20% among black women, 15% among white women, and 11% among Hispanic women. Among the leading causes of infant death, rates declined 29% for sudden infant death syndrome, 11% for congenital malformations, 8% for short gestation/low birthweight, and 7% for maternal complications. The mortality rate for unintentional injuries increased 11% over the period. In 2014, black and American Indian/Alaska Native women had the highest infant mortality rates at 10.93 and 7.59 per 1,000 live births, respectively.