FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) released the 2012 infant mortality rates which decreased from 6.4 in 2011 to 6.0 in 2012 per 1,000 live births, marking a new low for Florida's infant mortality rate.

In 2012, black infant mortality rates also decreased from 12.0 in 2011 to 10.7 in 2012, marking another historic decrease. The white infant mortality rate decreased from 4.9 in 2010 to 4.6 in 2011 and remained at 4.6 in 2012. The Hispanic infant mortality rate decreased slightly from 5.2 per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 5.1 in 2012. While the black infant mortality rate was at an historic low point, these rates continued to show a disparity at 10.7 per 1,000 live births compared to the white infant mortality rate of 4.6 per 1,000 live births.

"We are encouraged by this continued decline in infant mortality which is a direct result of a collective approach over the years," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "Vital partnerships at the local, community and state levels contributed to this success. Now we must further our efforts to ensure that healthy pregnancies are a priority in all of Florida's communities."

In addition to reaching historic lows, the results met the Department's 2012–2015 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) objective to reduce the infant mortality rate from 6.5 in 2010 to 6.1 per 1000 live births by December 2015 and the objective to reduce the black infant mortality rate from 11.8 in 2010 to 10.9 per 1000 live births.

The final 2012 Vital Statistics birth and death statistics are published on the Florida CHARTS web site at http://www.floridacharts.com/charts/DataViewer/InfantDeathViewer/InfantDeathViewer.aspx?indNumber=0053.

DOH protects, promotes and improves the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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