Infant Mortality Rates in Maryland Show Downward Trends Over Last Decade; Small Increase in 2013

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced today that the average infant mortality rate has been driven down by 15 percent in Maryland in the past decade, with a 20 percent decline in the average rate among white infants and a 14 percent decline among black infants. Both the neonatal mortality rate (deaths among infants younger than 28 days per 1,000 live births) and post neonatal mortality rate (deaths among infants between 28 days and 11 months old) have been driven down substantially, when comparing 2004-2008 to 2009-2013.

As a result of declines in infant mortality since 2007, 457 more babies in Maryland have survived.

“Our goal to reduce infant mortality is about more than just numbers — its about creating common platforms to save more of our children,” said Gov. O’Malley. “There is no such thing as a spare Marylander, and together, we will continue to build on this critical progress so we can support more Maryland families and protect young lives.”

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