U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Reaches New Low

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the number of babies dying before their first birthday in the United States has reached a record low. According to preliminary data released in 2025, there were slightly fewer than 5.4 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. While this change might seem small compared to the rate of 5.5 in 2024, researchers say it is an important step forward that represents hundreds of fewer deaths each year.

Infant mortality is defined as the number of babies who die before they reach their first birthday. Because the total number of babies born in the U.S. changes every year, health experts use this rate to compare the safety of infants over time. The total number of infant deaths in the U.S. fell to about 19,350 last year. This is a positive change from the 20,050 deaths recorded in 2024 and the 20,160 seen in 2023, according to the CDC.

Medical experts are encouraged by these numbers. Michael Warren, a chief medical officer for the March of Dimes, called the new data an encouraging sign. He noted that the country has seen a slow, steady decline in infant deaths over the last thirty years, thanks to better medical technology and public health programs. For example, experts believe that better education about safe sleeping habits for babies has helped lower the number of deaths linked to sudden infant death syndrome.

Another major factor in recent years has been the fight against common viruses. In 2022, the U.S. saw a significant jump in infant deaths, which experts linked to a rise in flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. To combat this, health officials began recommending two new tools in 2023: a maternal RSV vaccine given during pregnancy and a monoclonal antibody treatment for infants. A monoclonal antibody is a medicine that helps a baby’s immune system fight off specific viruses. Experts believe these efforts were key to the improvements seen in 2024 and 2025.

Despite this progress, the U.S. still struggles to keep up with other wealthy nations. A study published last year found that the U.S. infant mortality rate was nearly twice as high as that of other high-income, democratic countries such as Japan, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Experts often point to issues like poverty and a lack of proper prenatal care—the medical care a woman receives while she is pregnant—as reasons for this gap. These problems make it harder for some families to get the support they need for a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Furthermore, the data shows that the risk of infant mortality is not the same for everyone in the U.S. The CDC report highlighted that death rates for infants born to Black women were more than twice as high as those for infants born to white, Hispanic, or Asian American women. Geography also plays a role in these outcomes. According to the data, Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rate in the country, while New Hampshire had the lowest. Researchers explained that these differences are often tied to how easily people can access quality healthcare services in their local communities.

Looking ahead, officials hope the downward trend will continue. The CDC noted that death rates have declined for both very young infants—those less than 28 days old—and older infants. Additionally, there has been a drop in the mortality rate for babies born at full term, which is between 39 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. While the current numbers are a reason for hope, health professionals emphasize that more work is needed to address the deep-rooted inequalities in the healthcare system. By focusing on better access to care and continuing to promote health education, the U.S. aims to further reduce these tragic losses and provide a safer start for all children.