New report shows significant racial disparities in infant mortality rates for North Carolina

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – A new report from the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force shows significant racial disparities between newborns within the state.

A release from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) shows that in 2023, Black babies were found to have died at rates three times higher than white infants. In addition, the state itself comes in as the 10th highest infant mortality rate in the country, with Mississippi ranking at 1st highest, according to the CDC.

“All babies born in North Carolina deserve a healthy start to life,” NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said. “We are committed to ensuring women and families have the care and support they need prior to, during and after pregnancy, no matter where they live or how much money they make.”

A map, courtesy of the CDC, showing the infant mortality rates by state for the year 2022, shows that the state is experiencing 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births, with an overall total of 825 births. In comparison, the country of Japan, which has an average of 113 million more people than North Carolina, reported 1.6 deaths per 1,000 births in 2022.

The NCDHHS stated that they have recently updated their North Carolina Perinatal Health Strategic Plan, which includes paid parental leave for state employees, Medicaid reimbursement for group prenatal care and increased postpartum health care coverage.

In December of 2024, then Governor Roy Cooper stated that, since becoming the 41st state to expand Medicaid, over 640,000 people gained health care coverage within the state, which would ultimately lead to healthier pregnancies and a reduction in the infant mortality rate.

The report also discussed both the rise in youth suicide rates and the state’s high child homicide rate, blaming the latter on the rise in firearm-related homicides.

In an effort to reduce firearm-related injuries and homicides, NCDHHS stated they are working alongside the North Carolina Department of Safety and the Office of Violence Prevention to distribute gun locks and safes as part of a safe storage campaign.

“By working together to address and prevent violence as a public health issue, we can create safer communities where our most vulnerable populations — especially infants and children — can thrive,” Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer said. “By offering proven, evidence-based solutions like safe gun storage that meet children and families where they are in North Carolina’s communities, we’re working to reverse the trends in preventable child fatalities related to violence and injury.”

To read the report in full, click here.