This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to infant mortality within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Infant mortality refers to the death of a baby between 1 day and 1 year old. Deaths that happen before a baby is 28 days old are also called neonatal deaths. Babies can die for many reasons, such as birth defects, infections, or accidents. It is important to understand the difference between causes and contributors to infant mortality. A cause is what directly leads to a baby’s death. A contributor is something that increases the risk of death but does not directly cause it. While many leading causes of infant death cannot be fully prevented, parents and caregivers can lower a baby’s risk by making healthy choices and getting care before and during pregnancy.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2023, the mortality rate for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) infants was 64% higher than infants nationwide. In 2023, AI/AN infants were more than twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared with infants in the U.S. overall. In 2023, AI/AN mothers were 80% more likely than mothers nationwide to start prenatal care late or receive no prenatal care at all.
For additional data on infant mortality and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2023, the mortality rate for Asian American infants was 39% lower than infants nationwide. In 2023, Asian American infants were 20% less likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than infants in the U.S. overall. In 2023, Asian American mothers were 30% less likely than mothers nationwide to receive late or no prenatal care.
For additional data on infant mortality and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2023, the mortality rate for Black/African American infants was 95% higher than infants nationwide. In 2023, Black/African American infants were about 2.5 times more likely to die from problems related to being born too early or with low birth weight compared with infants in the U.S. overall. In 2023, Black/African American mothers were 49% more likely than mothers nationwide to receive late or no prenatal care.
For additional data on infant mortality and Black/African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2023, the mortality rate for Hispanic/Latino infants was 10% lower than infants nationwide, but the mortality rate for Puerto Rican infants was 15% higher than infants nationwide. In 2023, Hispanic/Latino infants were 7% more likely to die from birth defects than infants nationwide. In 2023, Hispanic/Latino mothers were 39% more likely than mothers nationwide to receive late or no prenatal care.
For additional data on infant mortality and Hispanic Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2023, the mortality rate for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) infants was 46% higher than infants nationwide. In 2023, NHPI mothers were more than three times as likely as mothers nationwide to start prenatal care late or receive no prenatal care.
For additional data on infant mortality and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.
Date Last Reviewed: February 2026