A new annual report from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) indicates a downturn in infant health outcomes, as the state’s infant mortality rate increased by 2.9% in 2023. This reversal follows a period of progress, signaling new challenges in ensuring survival through a child’s first year of life.
Data from the DPH Vital Records shows that 403 infants died before their first birthday in 2023. This resulted in an infant mortality rate of 7.0 deaths per 1,000 live births, an increase from the 392 deaths and 6.8 rate recorded in 2022.
Persistent Racial and Ethnic Disparities
The report highlights persistent gaps in health outcomes based on race and geography. Infants born to Black women in South Carolina continue to face the highest risk, with a mortality rate of 11.7 per 1,000 live births. This is more than double the rate for infants born to white women, which stood at 5.2.
Additionally, the mortality rate for infants of Hispanic mothers saw its first increase in five years. The rate rose significantly from 4.1 in 2022 to 5.9 in 2023. These figures underscore the ongoing need for targeted health interventions in Black, Hispanic, and rural communities.
Leading Causes of Death
The three primary causes of infant mortality in 2023 were identified as preterm birth and low birth weight, congenital malformations or birth defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
While deaths attributed to birth defects saw a notable decrease of 26% compared to the previous year, deaths related to SIDS rose by 19.5%. This continues a concerning upward trend for SIDS that began in 2020. Accidental deaths, often linked to unsafe sleep environments, accounted for 8.2% of all infant deaths in 2023, a slight decrease from the 9.2% reported in 2022.
State Response and Strategic Goals
Reversing these trends is a primary objective of the 2025-2030 South Carolina State Health Improvement Plan. To address these outcomes, the DPH is coordinating with several key partners, including the South Carolina Hospital Association, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes.
The state’s efforts are supported by the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, which provides resources to improve the well-being of mothers and infants. Future strategies will focus on aligning statewide partnerships to support families through all stages of pregnancy and the critical first year of infancy.
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