New data from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) shows the state’s infant mortality rate improved by 0.7% in 2024 , marking progress, but still leaving Alabama above the national average.

According to ADPH, out of nearly 58,000 live births, 414 infants died before their first birthday. Amy McAfee, assistant director of ADPH’s prenatal division, says the most common causes of infant deaths were birth defects, prematurity, and bacterial sepsis. She adds that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a top concern.

“SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby under one year of age. Typically it occurs between one and four months and can go up to six months,” McAfee explained.

McAfee, who has 30 years of experience and previously served as a labor and delivery nurse,

See Full Page