Local News - September 2002

Infant mortality rate high for region

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

September 4, 2002 - While Lincoln County’s infant mortality rate decreased slightly from 2000 to 2001, it is still the highest among neighboring counties.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released its 2001 Infant Death Report July 31, 2002, and the Lincoln County Health Department issued its final report Aug. 30.

 The number of infant deaths in the county remains unchanged from 2000 to 2001 — 11 infants died.

But the rate — the number of infants who died per 1,000 live births — decreased by 1.6 percent.
In 2000, the rate was 12.2. per 1,000 births; in 2001, the num-ber dropped to 12.
Compare that to the numbers of counties that surround Lincoln:

·  Catawba County's infant mortality rate dropped from 8.9 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 7.8 in 2001 - a 12.3 percent decrease.

·  In Cleveland County, the rate decreased 20.6 percent, low-ering the death rate from 9.7 to 7.7.

·  Gaston County's death rate increased 10.7 percent from 2000 to 2001. The year 2000 had a 10.2 per 1000 rate; 2001 showed 11.3.

·  Rutherford County's rate jumped from 9.2 to 10.8, a 17.3 percent increase.

·  In Burke County, the rate drastically decreased from 10.3 in 2000 to 4.7 in 2001 - a 54.3 percent decrease.

·  Mecklenburg experienced a 7 percent decrease in its infant mortality rate. In 2000, the county recorded a rate of 8.5, and in 2001, the rate was 7.9.

·  North Carolina's rate in 2000 was 8.6; the rate in 2001 dropped slightly down to 8.5.

Lincoln County’s 2001 rate (12) is higher than the state’s rate (8.5).

But compare Lincoln’s to the state’s five-year rate, spanning from 1997 to 2001, and the rate is identical.

From 1997 to 2001, 38 infants died in Lincoln County, at a rate of 8.9 per 1,000. In all of North Carolina, 5,092 infant deaths were recorded.

“The health community is glad to be able to report a slight improvement in the rate of infant deaths in our county, and our five-year average still equals the state’s,” said Maggie Dollar, county health department director. “However, each and every child lost is one too many.”

A further breakdown of infant mortality statistics reveals more specifics about the county’s 11 deaths.

There were 919 live births in Lincoln County in 2001, and 11 of those infants died.

Out of 857 white babies born, seven died. Some 62 of the 919 live births were another race, accounting for four of the deaths.

Most of Lincoln County’s infant deaths are due to premature deliveries and underdeveloped respiratory systems, Dollar said.

However, the health department is concerned over the continuing trend in late entry into prenatal care, lack of access to care for minorities and low income residents, the overuse of tobacco, alcohol and drugs during pregnancy, teen pregnancies, repeat pregnancies and violence in the home.

The health department plans to continue its work to educate and inform people of the urgent need for planned pregnancies, early prenatal care and healthy lifestyles, Dollar said.

The department has a cooperative agreement with obstetricians/gynecologists in the county who have hospital admitting privileges.

This helps women who have no insurance get the help they need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Dollar said continuity of care is essential in assuring healthy outcomes.

“We are blessed in Lincoln County to have so many medical professionals and staff who put the well-being of others first,” she said. “And that’s what it takes … Healthy communities start with healthy babies.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions