Abstract: Although the infant mortality rate dropped dramatically from 26.9 per 1,000 live births (1967) to 10.5 (1996) during the last three decades, Alabama is still one of the states that has a higher than average mortality rate in the country. This study is aimed at (1) examining the trend of Alabama infant mortality rate over a 30-year period, as well as the difference in the reduction of mortality among Alabama counties; (2) revealing small area variation in infant mortality rates.
Alternative statistical methods are presented to model the temporal trend and small area variation. Five-year moving average is used on the data to reduce the instability of rate estimate due to small population and rare occurrence of the event. Polynomial regression is used to model the long-run change over time. Several different patterns appear. To measure the geographical inequality in reduction of the mortality rate, trend analysis is applied to weighted coefficient of variation with weight taking account of spatial heterogeneity. A disease mapping method is applied to pinpoint the counties most in need of intervention.
Learning Objectives: Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to understand alternative statistical methods for trend analysis and small area variation in mortality rates, use county level data to study public health issues such as infant mortality
Keywords: Infant Mortality, Biostatistics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.