Infant Mortality Rate in US Dropped 12 Percent

Biggest change over past five years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that the infant mortality rate in the U.S. dropped 12 percent between 2005 and 2011. The new numbers come as part of the National Center for Health Data's most current data brief.

The 12 percent fall is a sudden drop, as infant mortality stayed relatively static in the five years before that point. The greatest decline was amongst black mothers, who saw a 16 percent decrease as a sub group.