University news

Researchers have identified four key factors which together account for more than one third of inequalities in infant mortality, when comparing the most and least deprived areas of England.

The new research, led by the University of Glasgow and published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe, highlighted the stark differences in infant mortality rates across the country, with rates in the most deprived areas in England more than double that of the least deprived areas in the first two decades of the 21st century.

Infant mortality – the rate at which babies and children aged less than one year-old die – is an important measure of the health and wellbeing of a country. It can reflect a number of key societal issues, including the effectiveness of health systems and the effect of economic and social conditions on the health of mothers and newborns.

As of 2021, England and Wales together had the 10th highest infant mortality rate in 38 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, with the latest statistical estimate being 3.7 deaths per 1,000 live-births.

This study, which looked at almost 400,000 linked mother and child health records across England between 2004 and 2019, highlighted four key factors which were described as “accounting for more than one third of the socioeconomic inequality in infant mortality”. Pre-term birth, smoking during pregnancy, teenage pregnancy and maternal depression were all highlighted as notable risk factors.

Researchers say these four factors could potentially be targeted, alongside other poverty reduction policies, to help bring infant mortality rates down in the most deprived areas of the country.

While there was improvement in the UK in infant mortality from the 1980s to early 2010s, since 2014 this has, on average, plateaued. Concerningly, however, there has been an increase in infant mortality rates in areas with high deprivation. The official figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that infant mortality rate in the most deprived areas increased from 5.3 deaths per 1,000 births in 2018, to 5.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 2021. In contrast, numbers in the least deprived areas dropped from 2.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2018, to 2.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 2021.

Dr Frederick Ho, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow’s School of Health & Wellbeing, said: “The inequality in infant mortality is at an alarming level. This study shows that while the inequality could be potentially reduced by changing healthcare and lifestyle, policy changes, such as increased investment in deprived areas, would be required for substantial improvement.”

The study, ‘Contributory factors for socioeconomic inequality in infant mortality: A cohort study of 392,606 mother-child dyads in England’ is published in the Lancet Regional Health. The work was funded by Medical Research Council, the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office, the European Research Council, and Wellcome.

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Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 2 October 2024