NC Child Death Rate at Record Low

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NC Child Death Rate at Record Low

Special Report - September 20, 2007
North Carolina’s child mortality rate reached an all-time low in 2006, according to the N.C. Child Fatality Task Force. The new numbers, gathered by the State Center for Health Statistics, show a 2006 statewide rate of 73.2 deaths per 100,000 children from birth to 17-years-old. This constitutes a decrease of 5 percent in child mortality from 2005, a 17 percent decrease over the last ten years, and a 31 percent decrease since 1991, according to Tom Vitaglione, Chair of the Task Force. The percentage of deaths dropped in all age groups except children aged 5 to 9, which increased by 16 percent from 2005 to 2006. Some of the leading causes of child mortality in 2006 were birth defects (198 deaths), other birth-related conditions (557 deaths), sudden infant death syndrome (94 deaths), illnesses (304 deaths), and unintentional injuries (274 deaths). Eighty-six deaths were attributable to homicide or suicide.