Illinois’ infant mortality rate has improved, though Black infants continue to die at disparately higher rates, according to a report released Thursday by the Department of Public Health. [Health News Illinois]

There were 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, the most recent full year of data. The rate is down roughly 0.9 deaths from 2018. 

In 2021, Illinois saw 132,228 live births and 743 infant deaths, which occur before a child’s first birthday. 

Agency Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said that while progress has been made, the report “highlights that despite significant public health efforts, unacceptable racial and ethnic disparities persist.”

“IDPH, along with our partners, will continue to focus on the recommended strategies and key resources to improve health outcomes for pregnant people and their newborn infants,” Vohra said.

The mortality rate for Black infants is nearly three times higher than for infants born to white, Latinx or Asian women. According to the report, the inequity is “heavily influenced” by trends in deaths due to prematurity and sudden unexpected infant death, with Black infants being more than four times as likely to die of the latter than white and Latinx infants.

Prematurity and fetal malnutrition, birth defects, sudden unexpected infant death and complications with pregnancy or delivery caused about 70 percent of all infant deaths. 

The disparities align with an IDPH report released last year that found Black women are twice as likely to die from any pregnancy-related condition and three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions as white women.

Thursday’s report also found the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery had little impact on overall trends in Illinois. Between 2020 and 2022, COVID-19 factored in 10 infant deaths, according to IDPH provisional data for 2022.

The national rate for infant deaths in 2021 was 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Vohra noted that maternal and infant health has been a major focus for policymakers in recent years. 

The current state budget includes $23 million for efforts that address disparities, like supporting community birth centers, establishing a diaper pilot program and creating child tax credits for low-income families.

A new law approved by the General Assembly this spring will task insurers with covering all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives. That includes home births and home visits. Coverage will also expand to home visits by board-certified lactation consultants and recommended products like breast pumps and feeding aids.

Another new law creates a task force within IDPH to identify and address healthcare disparities, including maternal and infant health rates.

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