Infant Deaths
Why we track this indicator
Tracking the infant mortality rate can provide insights into wide social development and economic change conditions that affect health outcomes for children and families. Both health and non-health policies and programs are needed to address the infant mortality rate in Elkhart County.
Infant Deaths Data Breakdown
Status: Green
Definition: The infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. Infant deaths include pre-term, birth defects, maternal pregnancy complications, sudden infant death syndrome, and injury between 0-364 days of age. The Child Dashboard compares local IMR to the statewide IMR to observe the trend. This information is obtained through a collaborating partner.
Source: Indiana Youth Institute
Last Updated: March 2024
Mitigating Factors: Update in progress
Methodology
Methodology: The local IMR is a result of dividing infant deaths, between 0-364 days since birth, with the total number of births. The resulting figure is multiplied by 1000 to obtain the IMR ratio out of 1000 births. The local IMR is then compared to the state IMR average to observe the percent difference.
Goal: To be lower than the state IMR average.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1% lower than Indiana’s IMR
Gray: within +/- 1% of Indiana’s IMR
Red: at least 1% higher than Indiana’s IMR
Supporting Research
Reduce the rate of infant deaths – MICH-02
Equitable, high-quality care for moms and babies and community-based interventions can help reduce the rate of infant deaths.
The Social Determinants of Infant Mortality and Birth Outcomes in Western Developed Nations
Infant mortality (IM) and birth outcomes, key population health indicators, have lifelong implications for individuals, and are unequally distributed globally.
Community-Based Health Program Reduces Infant Mortality Rates
Community-based health program reduces infant mortality rates.
Team Minneapolis: Improving Equity in Birth Outcomes
Video: Improving equity in birth outcomes, a community-based, culturally-centered approach.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to Infant Deaths
Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana Youth Institute’s mission “is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth.”
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.