According to a report from the Alabama Department of Public Health, a Black baby in Alabama is nearly three times more likely to die compared to a white baby.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) releases annual reports on infant mortality and maternity care. One of the key focuses of these reports is the infant mortality rate, which is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births. This statistic allows experts to compare outcomes in different communities, whether they are large or small.
In Alabama in 2020, the mortality rate for Black babies was 12 deaths per 1,000 births in their first year of life. In contrast, the rate for white babies was 4.3 deaths per 1,000 births.
In Alabama, the combined infant mortality rate for white and Black infants is 6.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2022, slightly higher than the rate of 7.1 in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. Over the course of these three years, there were a total of 1,238 infant deaths.
In Dallas County, the rate of infant mortality for all babies delivered in the county over three years (2020 through 2022, the last year figures are available) was 5.3 deaths per 1,000 births. Within that period, seven babies lost their lives in their first year of life.
During the three-year period, there were no reported cases of infant mortality among white babies in Dallas County. This means that the infant mortality rate for whites in the county is zero. However, for the African American population, who make up more than 80% of the county’s population, the infant mortality rate is 6.7 deaths per 1,000 births. This highlights a significant disparity in infant mortality rates between different racial groups.
Here are the infant mortality figures for several other counties in the Black Belt region:
Wilcox County has reported a total rate of 8.8 (with one death) for the year 2022, and an average rate of 5.6 over the span of three years, with two deaths.
In Lowndes County, there were no reported infant deaths in 2022, resulting in an overall rate of zero. Over the span of three years, there were a total of five deaths, three of which were white infants.
Access to medical care in the Black Belt continues to be a problem. Only Montgomery and Dallas counties have hospitals that deliver babies, leaving many counties without this crucial service. According to the March of Dimes, Wilcox, Sumter, Perry, Lowndes, and Hale counties are considered “maternity care deserts,” lacking hospitals that provide maternity care. Additionally, Bibb County is listed as having limited access to maternity care.
According to a report from the Alabama Department of Public Health, nearly 54% of women who gave birth in rural counties did not receive prenatal care, while this number was about 46% for mothers in urban areas. Although access to care for expectant mothers has improved in urban areas since 2020, it remains unchanged in rural areas like the Black Belt.
In positive news, there has been a significant decrease in the number of new mothers who reported smoking during pregnancy. Back in 2013, around 11% of mothers admitted to smoking while pregnant. Fast forward to 2022, and that number has dropped to less than 5%. This is a promising trend that showcases the efforts made to promote healthier pregnancies.
Teenagers are giving birth less frequently nowadays. In 2012, teenagers accounted for 9.3% of the state’s births, but this number dropped to 6% in 2022.
In 2022, the leading causes of infant deaths were congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities. Sudden infant death syndrome, as well as short gestation and low birth weight, were also significant factors. Together, these three causes accounted for 39% of infant deaths in 2022.
