In this month’s edition of the Clarity Digest, we look into why infant mortality rates vary across England.
We explore findings from the Nuffield Trust’s "Understanding Differences in Infant Mortality Rates Across Local Areas" report, which highlights the key factors linked to higher mortality rates in areas of England whilst also exploring health inequality impacts.
Key Findings
The report reveals that a high severe obesity prevalence is associated with higher infant mortality rates. It also outlines a direct relationship between social factors and infant mortality rates. Poor housing conditions, such as overcrowding and limited central heating, as well as low spending on early years provision are linked to higher infant mortality rates in areas of England. For example, the report estimates that local authorities with the highest central heating deprivation had, on average, one more infant death per 1,000 live births than those with the lowest deprivation.
Crucially, the highest infant mortality rates lie in areas which are the most deprived with estimates suggesting they are twice as high in the most deprived areas than the least deprived. Infant mortality affects the population unevenly. In 2021, infant mortality rates for infants born to parents with routine and manual occupations were the highest, whereas those born to parents with managerial, administrative and professional occupations were the lowest.
Addressing the complexity of pathways resulting in infant mortality requires multi-dimensional measures to tackle these different components. The Digest summarises recommendations made in the Nuffield Trust’s report at both the local and national levels.
Additional Resources
We also feature a curated list of recent publications and podcasts covering a wide range of health and care topics, from leadership to productivity and performance. These resources provide valuable insights into the current landscape of health and social care, helping leaders in the sector stay informed and engaged.
For more in-depth analysis and detailed recommendations, we invite you to read the full Clarity Digest by clicking here.
