Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Allegheny County, PA has historically had one of the highest Black infant mortality rates (IMRs) in the United States. For comparison, peer counties were identified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2009 Community Health Status Indicators Project. Counties were similar with respect to population and demographic measures. Data from the CDC WONDER Linked Birth-Infant Death records, the Pennsylvania Department of Health EpiQMS database, and Allegheny County Health Department vital records were used to calculate and compare IMRs between Allegheny County, other Pennsylvania counties, and peer counties, as well as identify leading causes of infant mortality. Allegheny County had an overall IMR of 7.2 per 1,000 live births between 2007 and 2011. The IMRs for White and Black populations were 4.8 and 16.4, respectively. IMRs varied across geographic regions, with rates generally being highest in and around the city of Pittsburgh. This large racial disparity was consistently observed between 1999 and 2012. Peer counties had an average Black IMR 2.3 times higher than the White IMR between 2008 and 2012, while Allegheny County saw a Black rate 3.4 times higher. Nearly 25% of Allegheny County infant deaths were due to short gestation and low birth weight (White 21.1%, Black 28%), while 12% were due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (White 16.3%, Black 7.5%) between 2007 and 2011. Our results indicate large racial disparities exist for both overall and causes specific infant mortality within Allegheny County and targeted efforts are needed to reduce IMR within the Black population.