"Alarming 8% Rise in Texas Infant Mortality Rate Breaks 20-Year Streak"

The infant mortality rate in the United States has increased by 3% from 2021 to 2022, marking the first increase in 20 years, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Texas experienced an 8% increase in infant deaths during this period. The leading causes of infant death in 2021 were birth defects, preterm birth or low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, injuries, and maternal pregnancy complications. Health disparities persist, with non-Hispanic Black Americans having over twice the infant mortality rate compared to non-Hispanic white Americans. The CDC data is provisional, and the factors contributing to the increase in the mortality rate were not reported.