NEWS RELEASE
September 10, 1999

1998 Infant Mortality Numbers Released

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced that six more infants died in 1998 compared to infant deaths for 1997. The number of infant deaths rose from 1,085 in 1997 to 1,091 in 1998. Michigan’s infant mortality rate for 1998 is 8.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 8.1 per 1,000 live births in 1997. The infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births, and is a worldwide standard used to measure health status.

"There has been a significant decline in infant mortality during the 1990's, with infant death rates declining 26% since 1989" said Haveman. In 1998 there were 554 fewer infant deaths than in 1989. "While it is encouraging to see the infant mortality rate for black infants declining, we must continue to build on our partnerships with local communities and health care providers to decrease the number of infant deaths."

The mortality rate for black infants declined from 17.6 in 1997 to 16.8 in 1998. The number of black infant deaths decreased from 425 in 1997 to 405 in 1998. Since 1990, there has been a 41 percent decrease in the number of black infant deaths. The mortality rate for white infants rose from 6.1 in 1997 to 6.3 in 1998.

Live births to Michigan residents increased from 133,549 in 1997 to 133,649 in 1998. In 1998, infants born with very low birth weight, less than 1,500 grams, experienced an infant death rate of 260.2 per 1,000 live births compared to a rate of 3.1 for those infants weighing 2,500 grams (5 pounds 8 ounces) or more. Multiple birth infants had an infant mortality rate of 35.0 per 1,000 live births compared to the rate of 7.2 for single birth infants.

Infant death rates were lowest for mothers aged 30-39 and highest for mothers less than 20 years old. Unmarried mothers had infant mortality rates nearly twice those of married mothers. Seventy-five percent of the women giving birth in 1998 obtained adequate prenatal care. Women receiving inadequate prenatal care experienced infant mortality rates three times as high as those women receiving adequate prenatal care. Mothers who reported smoking while pregnant had an infant death rate of 11.8 per 1,000 live births compared to a rate of 6.9 for mothers who reported not smoking during pregnancy.

Infant mortality data for Michigan, local health department districts, counties and major cities and townships can be found on the Michigan Department of Community Health web site at by clicking on "Health Statistics" and then the "Infant Mortality" button.