OFFICIALS WITH THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAY THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LATEST INFANT DEATH RATE NUMBERS. THE RATE WENT FROM 5-POINT-2 DEATHS PER 1-THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS IN 2011, UP TO 6-POINT-9 LAST YEAR. IT'S ALSO THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1994 THE STATE'S RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WHICH IS NOW AT 6-POINT-ZERO.
THE MAIN INCREASE IN NEW MEXICO CAME AMONG WHITE AND HISPANIC INFANTS UNDER 28 DAYS OF AGE. FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE INCLUDE BIRTH DEFECTS, PREMATURE BIRTHS AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT.
