The data released today shows that 2,651 infant deaths (deaths under 1 year) occurred in England and Wales in 2016, compared with 2,578 in 2015. In 2016, the infant mortality rate (based on death occurrences) increased to 3.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 3.7 in 2015.
Francine Bates, CEO of The Lullaby Trust says:
“The Lullaby Trust is concerned to see that there has been little change in the infant mortality rate since last year and that more babies are dying in disadvantaged families. These statistics show us that the measures taken to tackle inequality have stalled. Many of these deaths could be prevented if the Government were to invest more in maternal and children’s health. As a charity that supports families who have lost their baby to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), we are disappointed to see that SIDS is the third most common cause of death in the post-neonatal period. Our national awareness campaign Safer Sleep Week aims to address this by spreading the safer sleep message, so more parents are aware of the risk factors associated with SIDS.”
ONS
To view the ONS statistical bulletin visit the ONS website here.
