Hamilton (1991, 146) defines infant mortality as consisting of ". . . the deaths of infants at any time during the first year of life." The vital statistics for infants in the United states during 1987 and as of March, 1988 revealed that 38,300 infants died for both years. This represents a 10 percent rate per 1,000 live births for both years. The infant mortality rate for the 12 months ending with March, 1988 (8.9 deaths per 1,000 population) was three percent higher than the rate of 8.6 for the comparable 12-month period a year earlier. The infant mortality rate for this 12-month period was 10 percent per 1,000 live births, which was three percent lower than the rate of 10.3 for the 12 months ending with March, 1987. The vital statistics for Canada for these years were not available relative to the rate of infant mortality. However, the Centers for Disease Control (Staff, 1992, p. 22) reports that the rate of infant mortality in America is higher than those from the over 20 developed countries, and, thus, Canada's rate of infant death. Soderstrom (1978, p. 226) reports that, for 1921 and 1973, the infant mortality rate for Canada went from 102.1 per 1,000 live births to 15.5 per 1,000. For 1931, the rate was 86.0 per 1,000; for 1941, 61.1; for 1951, 38.5; for 1961, 27.2; and for 1971, 17.5. The neonatal death rate went from 43.4 per 1,000 live births to 10.8 for the same period. For 1931, the rate was 41.5 per 1,000; for 1941, 30.7; for 1951, 22.6; for 1961, 18.0; and for 1971, 12.4. The post-neonatal death rate went from 58.7 per 1,000 live births to 4.7. For 1931, the rate was 44.5 per 1,000; for 1941, 30.4; for 1951, 15.9; for 1961, 9.2; and for 1971, 5.1.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that the infant mortality rate in America reached its lowest point in 1989, although it has been declining for several years. The rate of infant mortality in America is higher than those from the over 20 developed countries. ...