The 2016-2018 Louisiana Child Death Review Report is Now Available!

The 2016-2018 Louisiana Child Death Review (CDR) Report is now available! The CDR Report compiles key findings from data collected over a three year period, including the top causes of infant and child death (broken down by age groups), comparisons between Louisiana rates and national averages, and racial disparities in infant and child mortality rates. The 2016-2018 report also includes data on trends in infant and child mortality over time. CDR report data primarily comes from Louisiana Vital Records and Statistics and findings from state and local Child Death Review panels, which review the circumstances that contribute to infant and child deaths in Louisiana.

Key findings include:

• From 2016-2018, Louisiana ranked in the top ten states with the highest mortality rates for infants and children in almost all age groups.
• Nearly half (43%) of infant deaths were due to conditions originating in the perinatal period, which include low birthweight and premature birth. These conditions are closely linked to maternal health before conception and during pregnancy.
• One fourth (25%) of all infant deaths were due to injury.  Most injury-related deaths were classified as Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs), and were related to the infant’s sleep environment. SUID is a term used to describe any sudden and unexpected death, whether explained or unexplained (including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS], Accidental Suffocation or Strangulation in Bed [ASSB], and deaths coded as ill-defined), occurring during infancy. Following safe sleep practices can significantly reduce the risk of SUID.
• About half (51%) of all child deaths were due to injury. Motor vehicle crashes, drowning, and homicide are the leading causes of death for children ages 1 through 14 years.
• Firearms were used in 42% of child homicides, and 52% of child suicides.
• Black infants and children are at greater risk of dying than their white peers. As compared to white infants and children, Black infants were 2.3 times as likely to die, and Black children were 1.6 times as likely to die.

In addition to data and statistics, the report provides evidence-based prevention recommendations focused on both the general population and children and youth with special health needs. An overview of what the Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and partner organizations are doing to prevent infant and child deaths around the state shows how Louisiana is working to transform many of those recommendations into actions.

The CDR report is designed to help public health organizations, medical and social service providers, government agencies and policy makers make data informed decisions related to the health and safety of infants, and children.

Read the report, then share it with your partners! You can find CDR Reports in the Partners for Family Health Data Center and Report Library.