Analysis of Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality Rates Among Black and White Infants
By
Monica J. Alexander
Rohan Alexander
Leslie Root
September 22, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Analysis of Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality Rates Among Black and White Infants
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Infant Mortality Rate Disparities Key Mechanisms Preterm birth and within gestational age mortality differences Target Population Infants born to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White mothers Care Setting Public health and epidemiological analysis
Key Highlights
Black infant mortality rate exceeds White infant mortality rate by more than twofold. SUID rates increased among non-Hispanic Black infants, widening the disparity. Preterm birth is more frequent among infants born to non-Hispanic Black mothers. The absolute gap in Black and White infant mortality rates narrowed from 2003 to 2019 but widened again by 2024. SUID is the largest individual cause contributing to the IMR gap. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Monitor infant mortality rates by race and ethnicity. Management
Implement targeted interventions to address preterm birth and SUID. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track changes in infant mortality rates and contributing factors over time. Risks
Higher risk of infant mortality among infants born to non-Hispanic Black mothers. Patient & Prescribing Data
Infants born to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White mothers
Focus on reducing preterm births and addressing SUID risk factors.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize demographic decomposition techniques to analyze infant mortality data. Adhere to reporting guidelines such as STROBE for observational studies. Related Resources & Content
