Five infants born in the United States die in their first month out of 1,000 live births, according to the report. This figure ties the United States with Hungary, Malta, Poland, and Slovakia for the second highest infant mortality rate among industrialized countries. Only Latvia, a former Soviet republic, has a higher rate at six deaths of the newborn for every 1,000 live births.

This health indicator is significantly higher among oppressed nationalities in the United States. According to Save the Children, the infant mortality rate among African-Americans is 9.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, nearly twice the national average. The report also indicates that while 17 percent of all births in the United States are to African-Americans, 33 percent of all low birth-weight infants are Black, which make them more susceptible to illnesses and death.The infant mortality rate among Latinos is 1.5 times the nationwide average.

A similar study conducted by the United Health Foundation in 2005 showed the mortality rate of babies born in rural areas is also higher than the national figure. Mississippi and Louisiana are tied as having the highest infant mortality rate in the country at 9.6. The infant mortality rate for African-Americans in Mississippi is 14.7.  
 
 
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