2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

INFANT MORTALITY BLACK FAMILIES EXPERIENCE HIGHER RATES OF INFANT DEATH DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR The infant mortality indicator refers to deaths of infants younger than age 1. The rate of infant mortality is calculated by the number of infant deaths under age 1, per 1,000 live births per year.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1-2 • The Riverside County rate of infant mortality is slightly higher than statewide for the most recent reporting period 2020-2022. • The most severe disparities affect Black/ African American infants, who experience the highest infant mortality rates in both California and Riverside County. • Riverside University Health System reports that infants born to Black/African American mothers are nearly two times more likely to be low birthweight. Black/African American mothers in Riverside County are 1.3 times more likely to experience preterm labor and four times more likely to face pregnancy complications. These factors increase the likelihood of an infant dying before age one. • These inequities stem from longstanding structural and social conditions, not biological differences. Riverside University Health System Public Health’s Black Infant Health program and the Perinatal Equity Initiative work with health, human services and community partners to improve maternal support, expand access to care and address the conditions that place Black mothers and infants at greater risk.

Infant mortality refers to the death of a child before their first birthday and is a key measure of community health. It reflects access to medical care, maternal health, environmental conditions, and broader social and economic factors. California’s overall infant mortality rate is among the lowest in the nation, but statewide data mask deep racial and geographic disparities.

1 California Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Infant mortality dashboard. https://go.cdph.ca.gov/Infant-Mortality-Dashboard 2 Riverside University Health System – Public Health. (n.d.). Black Infant Health. https://www.ruhealth.org/public-health/black-infant-health

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