Did you know that one of the efforts to lower global infant mortality rates began over 75 years ago right here in New York State.  This effort developed into the organization, Save the Children, which publishes a report entitled "State of the World's Mothers."
 
The report shows:

• In spite of the fact that the United States spends more, per capita, on health care than any other country in the world, we ranked 27th out of 173 countries surveyed. We DROPPED one spot from 26th last year. This means that 26 countries, including Slovenia, Croatia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Korea, and Cuba have lower infant mortality rates than we do!
• Worldwide, an average of 1 in 21 mothers will die of pregnancy related causes. In the United States, 1,000 women die each year from pregnancy and childbirth related causes.
• Worldwide, more than 1 in 6 children will die before their 5th birthday.
• Every year, close to 4 million newborns die in the world; many of these deaths are from preventable causes.  

The summary of the Save the Children report, entitled "Closing the Gaps in Child Survival," states, "Caring for newborn babies starts with caring for pregnant mothers, ensuring that they are adequately nourished, free from infections and exposure to harmful substances, and monitored for complications during pregnancy. For babies born at home, good prenatal care also includes counseling to encourage a clean birth, awareness of danger signs, a plan for going to a skilled attendant, and immediate and exclusive breastfeeding."
 
To view the report in its entirety go to: http://www.savethechildren.org/jump.jsp?path=/publications/mothers/2008/SOWM-2008-full-report.pdf
 
Do you know where we stand locally on infant mortality? Read on to find out.
 
According to the CDC, in 2005 the national infant mortality rate was 6.87 per 1,000 live births. The New York State number was lower at 5.8/1,000.
 
In 2006
 
New York State had:
249,182 live births
1,390 infant deaths (< 1 year), Rate = 5.6/1,000
935 neonatal deaths (< 28 days), Rate = 3.8/1,000
455 post neonatal deaths ( 28 days < x < 1 year), Rate = 1.8/1,000
2,656 perinatal deaths (neonatal deaths + spontaneous fetal deaths of gestation 20+ weeks), Rate = 10.6/1,000
 
Albany County had:
3,126 live births
24 infant deaths (< 1 year), Rate = 7.7/1,000
491 neonatal deaths (< 28 days), Rate = 3.8/1,000
221 post neonatal deaths ( 28 days < x < 1 year), Rate = 1.7/1,000
1,098 perinatal deaths (neonatal deaths + spontaneous fetal deaths of gestation 20+ weeks), Rate = 8.4/1,000
 
Rensselaer County  had:
1,707 live births 
5 infant deaths (< 1 year), Rate = 2.9/1,000
3 neonatal deaths (< 28 days), Rate = 1.8/1,000
2 post neonatal deaths ( 28 days < x < 1 year), Rate = 1.2/1,000
7 perinatal deaths (neonatal deaths + spontaneous fetal deaths of gestation 20+ weeks), Rate = 4.1/1,000
 
Schenectady County had:
1,810 live births
9 infant deaths (< 1 year), Rate = 5.0/1,000
6 neonatal deaths (< 28 days), Rate = 3.3/1,000
3 post neonatal deaths ( 28 days < x < 1 year), Rate = 1.7/1,000
18 perinatal deaths (neonatal deaths + spontaneous fetal deaths of gestation 20+ weeks), Rate = 9.9/1,000