{"id":132900,"date":"2026-05-27T09:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=132900"},"modified":"2026-09-07T09:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T13:10:34","slug":"indianas-infant-mortality-rate-stays-at-historic-low-for-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/05\/27\/indianas-infant-mortality-rate-stays-at-historic-low-for-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana’s infant mortality rate stays at historic low for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Provisional data from the Indiana Department of Health show the 2025 infant mortality rate is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (500 deaths as of April 2026), essentially unchanged from rate in 2024.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Department of Health news release:<\/p>\n

Indiana’s Infant Mortality Rate stays at historic low for 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indianapolis, Indiana (May 27, 2026) – Provisional data from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) show the 2025 infant mortality rate (IMR) in Indiana is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (500 deaths as of April 2026), essentially unchanged from rate of 6.3 in 2024 (509 deaths) when the state saw the lowest rate of infant deaths since record-keeping began in 1900.<\/p>\n

Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday and is measured by the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Factors that contribute to infant mortality are often tied to the health of the mother. Delayed prenatal care and conditions such as obesity, substance use, maternal stress and smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of poor health outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe loss of every baby is a tragedy,\u201d said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP. \u201cWe always want to see that number go down, but we are encouraged to see Indiana has maintained its current historic low infant mortality rate and the lives of nine more babies were saved. We will use this data to better understand the causes of these deaths and support efforts to further move the needle at the local level.\u201d<\/p>\n

IDOH is releasing a provisional 2025 IMR rate to increase transparency and efficiency by providing organizations and communities with timely data to inform healthcare decisions. The rate is preliminary and subject to change.<\/p>\n

\u201dPromoting maternal and infant health outcomes is a top priority of the Indiana Department of Health,\u201d said Dr. Weaver. \u201cWe are committed to ensuring this critical work continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

IDOH has multiple initiatives focused on improving infant mortality including:<\/p>\n