September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month — a month dedicated to raising awareness of the high rate of infant mortality in the United States.
The U.S. ranks 50th in the world in infant mortality, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook. With a rate of 5.90 deaths per 1,000 live births, it falls behind most European countries, Australia, Japan and Canada.
Florida’s infant mortality rate is higher than the nation’s, but declined from 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 6.0 in 2012. Despite the statewide decline, Northeast Florida remains a region with one of the highest infant mortality rates with significant racial disparities.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Minority Health works to reduce health disparities among minorities. Each year, the Office of Minority Health selects a theme for National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. This year’s theme is A Healthy Baby Begins with You and You and You.
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