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High Black infant mortality in Wisconsin: factors associated with the ongoing racial inequity

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 212–219 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Wisconsin has the highest Black infant mortality rate (IMR) in the nation.

Objective

Evaluate factors associated with racial inequity in IMR in Wisconsin.

Study design

Births/deaths/IMR for Black and White infants from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health system, stratified by gestational age (GA), and compared using direct adjustment method. IMR were compared based on cause of death, maternal age, and education.

Results

Crude and adjusted IMR was 13.7 and 9.1 for black infants. Respective IMR for white infants was 4.8 and 5.3. Crude IMR was 180% higher in Black infants. After controlling for GA, IMR among Black infants was 70% higher. In term Black infants, deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidents, and assaults were markedly high.

Conclusions

Higher IMR in Black infants was due to increased premature births and increased mortality among term infants. Potentially modifiable causes of death were SIDS, accidents, and assaults.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. Gary Kirk (Chief Medical Officer, Bureau of Community Health Promotion, Wisconsin Department of Public Health) and Dr. Debroah Ehrenthal (Professor, University of Wisconsin—Madison) for their guidance and support and thank Jens Eickhoff for his assistance in statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    Brandon D. Tomlin, Ryan M. McAdams, Jasmine Y. Zapata & Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi

Authors
  1. Brandon D. Tomlin
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  2. Ryan M. McAdams
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  3. Jasmine Y. Zapata
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  4. Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi
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Contributions

BDT was responsible for study design, data analysis, literature review, and paper writing as well as approval of final paper. RMMA was responsible for study design, paper writing, and approved the final draft. JYZ was responsible for study design, paper writing, and approved the final draft. DCK was responsible for study design, statistical analysis and interpretation, paper writing, and approval of the final draft.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi.

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Tomlin, B.D., McAdams, R.M., Zapata, J.Y. et al. High Black infant mortality in Wisconsin: factors associated with the ongoing racial inequity. J Perinatol 41, 212–219 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00906-6

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