NC infant mortality rate up in 2014

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced last year’s infant mortality rate in the state.

In a statement released Monday, the department’s division of public health says the infant mortality rate for 2014 was 7.1 per 1,000 live births. A rate of 7.0 per 1,000 live births was recorded in 2013 and in 2010.

Deputy Secretary for the department’s health services Dr. Randall Williams says the 2014 statistics are consistent with previous years.

Williams says the department is collaborating with providers and other partners to address the different factors that affect infant mortality.

Williams says the state government’s most recent budget contains several features that focus on improving birth outcomes, improving the health of children from birth to age five and further reducing infant mortality.

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