DC Infant Mortality Rate Lowest Ever

WASHINGTON – Health officials said Friday the city’s infant mortality rate hit an all-time low, but remains higher than the national rate.

Figures from 2003, the latest year available, were released by the District of Columbia Department of Health. They showed there were ten deaths per 1,000 live births. Along with being a record low, the number also reflects a 45 percent reduction over a decade.

The health department also said the district’s rate is lower than cities of similar size, including Baltimore and Richmond.

But D.C. is still above than the 2003 national infant mortality rate of 6.9 per 1,000 live births.

Also, the figures were higher in three of the district’s poorest wards. Ward 8, east of the Anacostia River, had the highest rate at 17.6, followed by Ward 5 at 13.9 and Ward 7 at 12.9. Health Director Dr. Gregg A. Pane said the city needs to look at several issues which could be responsible.

“Some of the contributing factors to the rising rate in some areas may be attributed to births to very high risk women,” Pane said. He cited as examples mothers who are substance abusers, have conditions like obesity or do not get sufficient health care.

“We will work to close the gap along racial and ethnic lines in order to improve the overall health and well-being of our infants, our mothers and our community,” Pane said.

—

On the Net:

D.C. Department of Health: http://dchealth.dc.gov