Monitoring infant mortality trends in Wisconsin, 1980 to 1999.

Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics, this paper analyzes the trends in infant, neonatal, and postneonatal mortality in Wisconsin between 1980 and 1999. The main causes of infant death are also examined. Results indicate that whites have consistently experienced a steady decline in infant mortality, from 9.2 per 1000 live births in 1980-1984 to 6.0 in 1995-1999. The rate for black infants was 19.4 in 1980-1984, fluctuated during this period, and was 17.8 in 1995-1999. Overall, infant mortality rates in Wisconsin continue to decrease, but the disparity between blacks and whites remains large and continues to increase. Death rates due to prematurity have increased by almost 82% between 1980 and 1999, while deaths from congenital anomalies have declined. Wisconsin white infant mortality rates are decreasing at rates in line with the goals for Healthy People 2010, but Wisconsin black infant mortality rates must decrease significantly in order to meet the national and state goals.