State-Level Progress in Reducing the Black-White Infant Mortality Gap, United States, 1999-2013.
To assess state-level progress on eliminating racial disparities in infant mortality.



Using linked infant birth-death files from 1999 to 2013, we calculated state-level 3-year rolling average infant mortality rates (IMRs) and Black-White IMR ratios. We also calculated percentage improvement and a projected year for achieving equality if current trend lines are sustained.



We found substantial state-level variation in Black IMRs (range = 6.6-13.8) and Black-White rate ratios (1.5-2.7), and also in percentage relative improvement in IMR (range = 2.7% to 36.5% improvement) and in Black-White rate ratios (from 11.7% relative worsening to 24.0% improvement). Thirteen states achieved statistically significant reductions in Black-White IMR disparities. Eliminating the Black-White IMR gap would have saved 64 876 babies during these 15 years. Eighteen states would achieve IMR racial equality by the year 2050 if current trends are sustained.



States are achieving varying levels of progress in reducing Black infant mortality and Black-White IMR disparities. Public Health Implications. Racial equality in infant survival is achievable, but will require shifting our focus to determinants of progress and strategies for success.
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Joedrecka S
JS
Brown Speights
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Samantha Sittig
SS
Goldfarb
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Brittny A
BA
Wells
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Leslie
L
Beitsch
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Robert S
RS
Levine
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights is with the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Samantha Sittig Goldfarb and Brittny A. Wells are with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Leslie Beitsch and George Rust are with the Center for Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine. Robert S. Levine is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
George
G
Rust
D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American