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For Immediate Release
May 18, 2023
Contact: Elizabeth Goodsitt/Jennifer Miller 608-266-1683
DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin
Reports highlight risk factors contributing to infant deaths, and where efforts and expanded action can promote healthy birth outcomes and first year of life
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released two new reports on birth outcomes that continue to shed light on how to best reduce and address significant disparities in infant deaths across Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) reports analyze the factors that contribute to inequalities in fetal and infant mortality to help focus public health prevention efforts. Data from the DHS Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention Unit show Wisconsin’s overall infant mortality rate, which represents the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, was 5.7 for 2019-2021. However, the data continue to show troubling disparities, with non-Hispanic Black infants three times more likely to die before their first birthdays than non-Hispanic white infants. During those same years, the infant mortality rate for American Indian or Alaska Native infants was 1.5 times the rate for non-Hispanic white infants.
“The death of any child is a tragedy. When these deaths are preventable, we have a responsibility to take action,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “In public health, we use data as our guide, to find patterns and use that information to prioritize strategies that leaders and our communities can take to protect our health. These reports show where progress has been made and where we can invest further to build on what works. By addressing these disparities and improving access to high-quality health, care among other measures, we are working to make sure all families have the opportunity to thrive.”
View the entire news release.
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