March 14, 2025 Story by: Editor
The 2023 Infant and Child Mortality Data from the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force reveals stark racial disparities in mortality rates among children. Non-Hispanic Black and American Indian children continue to experience higher mortality rates than other racial and ethnic groups.
The disparity worsened in 2023, with Black infants dying at three times the rate of white infants. North Carolina ranked 10th highest in the nation for infant mortality, underscoring the urgent need for intervention from the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to improve child and family health outcomes.
“All babies born in North Carolina deserve a healthy start to life,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We are committed to ensuring women and families have the care and support they need prior to, during, and after pregnancy, no matter where they live or how much money they make.”
Efforts to Improve Maternal and Infant Health
NCDHHS has introduced an updated NC Perinatal Health Strategic Plan outlining ongoing initiatives to enhance maternal health and birth outcomes. Recent accomplishments include:
- Paid parental leave for state employees
- Medicaid reimbursement for group prenatal care
- Expanded postpartum health coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries
Additionally, North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunity Pilots have been instrumental in addressing non-medical health factors such as housing, food, and transportation, which are crucial for improving the well-being of mothers and children.
Medicaid Expansion’s Impact on Health Outcomes
Since North Carolina expanded Medicaid, over 640,000 residents have gained healthcare coverage. This increased access to essential healthcare has led to improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Research indicates that states with Medicaid expansion have better maternal and infant health statistics compared to states that have not expanded coverage.
Key Findings from the 2023 Infant and Child Mortality Report
- The infant mortality rate in North Carolina rose slightly in 2023, reaching 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births—a number that has seen minor fluctuations since 2010.
- The youth suicide rate has climbed over the past 20 years, making it one of the leading causes of death for individuals aged 10-18.
- The child homicide rate remains high, primarily due to a rise in firearm-related homicides.
Addressing Firearm-Related Child Deaths
NCDHHS is collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) and the Office of Violence Prevention to combat increasing firearm-related injuries and fatalities. Efforts include:
- A safe storage campaign providing gun locks and safes to local health departments and community organizations
- Investment in community and hospital-based violence prevention programs
“By working together to address and prevent violence as a public health issue, we can create safer communities where our most vulnerable populations – especially infants and children – can thrive,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer. “By offering proven, evidence-based solutions like safe gun storage that meet children and families where they are in North Carolina’s communities, we’re working to reverse the trends in preventable child fatalities related to violence and injury.”
NCDHHS remains committed to creating a healthier North Carolina, ensuring every resident has timely access to the care they need, regardless of location or financial status.
Source: NCDHHS
