|
|
|
Overall stillbirths and infant deaths have declined over recent decades, but marked geographical and social inequalities persist, both nationally and in the South West (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Infant mortality rates by Primary Care Trust in the South West, 1995-2000
Although the small number of infant deaths in each PCT (3–18 per year on average) makes it difficult to comment on the social differences behind them, it can be assumed that they follow the variation shown in the South West as a whole, where the poorest fifth of the population experiences death rates approximately one and a half times the richest fifth (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Infant mortality by deprivation category in the South West 1991-1997
This mirroring of the geographical and social inequalities in infant mortality across the region confirms the strong relationship which exists between infant mortality and socio-economic conditions. In recognition of this relationship the Government, in its recent document on Inequalities in Health, chose infant mortality as one of the two headline targets to monitor. 2 |
