Transformational Change Takes Time, Dedication: U.S. Infant Mortality

ARLINGTON, VA, June 18, 2026 — Statement from Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer, March of Dimes:

Infant mortality is the death of a baby before their first birthday. Two babies die every hour in the U.S. with more than 20,000 deaths annually. These deaths are both unacceptable and not inevitable. With the right policies, systems, and environments, we can make sure every baby reaches their first birthday.

New CDC Infant Mortality Data

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its latest infant mortality data showing a downward trend. These findings demonstrate that while it may be incremental when long-term solutions are implemented, change can happen. And, we must remain dedicated to continuing the fight for all babies across the U.S.

Specifically, the U.S. infant mortality rate in 2024 was 5.52 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, which was lower but not statistically significantly different from the rate in 2023 (5.61). While 10 states had infant mortality rates significantly lower than the overall U.S. rate, 16 states had rates that were significantly higher. There also continues to be marked and persistent disparities in infant mortality rates by race. The CDC data showed that infants of Black women (mortality rate of 10.98), American Indian and Alaska Native women (9.20), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander women (7.90) all had higher rates than the overall rate and compared to other races.

The leading causes of death remained the same as in 2023: congenital malformations (birth defects), prematurity/low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), unintentional injuries, and maternal complications. However, the decline in deaths due to SIDS was statistically significant (from 40.2 infant deaths per 100,000 live births to 37.2). Prematurity continues to be strongly associated with infant mortality; in 2024, two out of every three infant deaths occurred to infants born before 37 weeks of gestation.

CDC Quarterly Provisional Estimates

Separately, the CDC released provisional data in May of this year with findings that suggest continued progress in reducing infant mortality rates. The infant mortality rate in the 12-month period ending in Q4 2025 (5.36) was statistically significantly lower than the rate at the end of Q4 2024 (5.54). While these data are provisional and subject to change, if the findings remain the same with the CDC’s final report, they represent the lowest infant mortality rate recorded in U.S. history.

March of Dimes Commitment

March of Dimes is leading the charge in solving some of the most complex challenges in maternal and infant health, including infant mortality. From our Prematurity Research Centers, the first and only global network focused solely on preterm birth, to our Innovation Fund that supports emerging technology and ideas to change care today, to programs that educate consumers and healthcare professionals about important health information, we are building a better future for moms and babies.

For more information on our work to improve birth outcomes in the U.S., please visit marchofdimes.org.