What does this measure?
The number of deaths per 1,000 live births per year for infants under the age of one year, averaged over five years.
Why is this important?
Infant mortality is considered an indicator of maternal health and the overall health of a community. It is also a marker of the availability and use of quality health care for pregnant women and infants.
How is our county doing?
In 2015-19, the five-year average infant mortality rate for Essex County was 4.4 per 1,000 births, similar to the state rate of 4.0 and below the national rate of 5.8.
How do we compare to similar counties?
Essex County has a rate similar to Lake County, IL (4.4), but higher than both Middlesex, MA (3.0) and Westchester County, NY (3.6).
Notes about the data
None.