09/16/2026
An infant born in the United States is:
About 3 times more likely to die before their first birthday than an infant born in Norway.
More likely to be born preterm or low birth weight, both major contributors to infant mortality.
More likely to face health risks associated with limited access to care, poverty, and housing instability.
Why European Countries Have Lower Rates
Countries with the lowest infant mortality rates generally have:
✅ Universal access to prenatal and postpartum care
✅ Robust paid family leave policies
✅ Lower child poverty rates
✅ Greater access to home visiting and community health supports
✅ Strong maternal and infant health systems
These factors help improve birth outcomes and infant survival.
Let’s continue to advocate for Healthy Start to provide access to these evidence-based supports to improve outcomes for infants.