Infant Mortality

Infant mortality rates reflect the quality of health care available to both children and mothers, as well as the overall health and welfare of the community. The infant death rate in the Hampton Roads region is the second highest in Virginia.

Why is This Important?

Infant mortality is defined by the number of infant deaths (before age one) per 1,000 live births and is an indication of the quality and accessibility of prenatal care for pregnant women. Infant mortality is also a leading factor in determining whether the federal government designates a city or a county as medically underserved and eligible for certain benefits.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

Infant Mortality Rates, By Region. Read text for explanationAlthough trending downward, the infant mortality rate in the Hampton Roads region has consistently been higher than the state average. In 2010 the Hampton Roads rate was 8.3 deaths per 1,000 live births; only the Southside region was higher at 10.7 deaths. The Northern region, consistently the state leader for infant mortality, had a rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010.

What Influences Infant Mortality?

The exact cause behind the relative differences in infant mortality rates across regions is unclear. Generally, however, the infant mortality rate is associated with maternal health, quality and access to medical care, and socioeconomic conditions, including poverty, substandard housing, illiteracy, substance abuse, and exposure to pollutants. In Virginia the three leading causes of infant deaths are birth defects, extreme immaturity (preterm birth and low-birth weight), and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Page last modified February 23, 2012
Infant Mortality Rates, By Region. Read text for explanation.

Data Definitions and Sources

Regional Data: Virginia Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics

Virginia Kids Count, Understanding the Complexities of Death Among Virginia's Youngest Children, Virginia KIDS COUNT data brief, June, 2007. (PDF)

Save the Children, State of the World's Mothers 2006: Saving the Lives of Mothers and Newborns, May 2006.

See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.

At a Glance: Infant Mortality

Performance: Improving

Highlight: Although it remains high, the rate of infant deaths in the Hampton Roads region has generally been improving in recent years.

Mother holding infant child
Regional Programs & Initiatives

Kids Priority One (KPO) is an information nad referral service specializing in resources for children and families. A program of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, in partnership with the Kiwanis Children's Council, KPO connects families and service providers with resources.

The Virginia Chapter of the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality.

The Chesapeake Department of Health's Baby Care program promotes healthy outcomes for at-risk pregnant women and infants through home visiting and education by registered nurses. Baby Care includes client education, support, and intervention with clients and families actively involved as partners in decision making.

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center offers information and services to promote healthy practices before and after birth at The BirthPlace.

Additional Information

The KIDS COUNT Data Center, sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, contains state-and city-level data for over 100 measures of child well-being.