Indiana’s infant mortality rate increased slightly in 2020. Public health officials say rates among white and Hispanic newborns improved, while rates for Black infants increased.
The mortality among Black infants rose from 11 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 to more than 13 this year.
State Health Commissioner Kristina Box says the data revealed more work needs to be done despite improvements across all populations in prior years—especially in the Black community.
"If we get the proper infrastructure in place across the state of Indiana, so that every county actually has equal access to public health support, then I really believe that that will raise all levels," Box said.
Box says a number of factors including COVID-19, recent overdose statistics and systemic barriers played a role in this year’s increase.
The overall state rate rose one-tenth of a percent.
Box and other public health officials are optimistic rolling out the state’s My Healthy Baby campaign in all 92 counties could shift this year’s trend, but insist more work is needed.
This story has been updated.
