AL Infant Mortality Rate Rises, Remains Well Above National Average

Alabama's infant mortality rate increased in 2025, remaining significantly higher than the national average as state health officials continue efforts to address the range of factors responsible.

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According to new data released by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the state's infant mortality rate rose to 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, up from 7.1 in 2024.

Of the 57,192 babies born in Alabama last year, 422 died before reaching their first birthday.

ADPH said the state's rate was approximately 37% higher than the provisional national infant mortality rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Although Alabama's infant mortality rate has remained relatively stable in recent years, officials say the latest figures highlight persistent challenges in maternal and infant health, particularly among Black families.

ADPH reports the infant mortality rate for Black infants increased from 11.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024 to 13.1 in 2025, accounting for 183 deaths.

Meanwhile, the rate for white infants increased slightly from 5.4 to 5.5, with 229 deaths reported.

Officials also said the figures show Black infants in Alabama were nearly 2.4 times as likely to die before their first birthdays as white infants.

"Reducing infant mortality remains a challenge," State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. "Racial disparities persist in birth outcomes; the Black infant mortality rate is disproportionally higher than that of white infants."

Harris pointed to several underlying factors contributing to poor birth outcomes, including the closure of hospital labor and delivery units, poverty and chronic health conditions.

"Lack of access to care, closure of labor and delivery services, poverty, poor nutrition, and chronic disease play significant roles in the health of mothers and infants," Harris said. "We must address the factors that contribute to poor health outcomes for mothers and babies."

According to ADPH, the three leading causes of infant deaths in Alabama during 2025 were congenital malformations and abnormalities, complications associated with premature birth and low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Despite the increase in infant mortality, the report identified several positive trends in maternal health.

For instance, births to teenagers between the ages of 10 and 19 reached historic lows in 2025, with teenage mothers accounting for just 5.4% of all births.

The percentage of babies born at low birth weights also declined slightly, from 10.2% in 2024 to 10.1% in 2025.

Additionally, the percentage of births involving adequate prenatal care increased from 73.9% to 75.7%, while births involving no prenatal care declined from 3.1% to 2.8%.

The report also highlighted differences in birth outcomes based on insurance coverage.

Medicaid paid for 35% of all Alabama births in 2025, but 49% of infant deaths occurred among babies whose mothers' deliveries were covered by the program.

By comparison, ADPH says private insurance covered 56% of births, while 39% of infant deaths occurred among babies whose mothers' deliveries were privately insured.

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