Nursery World - Rise in infant deaths shows rich-poor gap

A recent report on infant death rates has indicated that the health divide between rich and poor is widening. The findings, published in a report on health inequalities in England, compared data from 2001-03 with data from 1997-99. It found the infant mortality rate among the least affluent groups was 19 per cent higher than for the total population in 2001-03, compared with 13 per cent higher for the previous period.

The findings, published in a report on health inequalities in England, compared data from 2001-03 with data from 1997-99. It found the infant mortality rate among the least affluent groups was 19 per cent higher than for the total population in 2001-03, compared with 13 per cent higher for the previous period.

The Scientific Reference Group report, Tackling Health Inequalities: Status report on the programme for action, also revealed higher infant death rates among the lowest social groups, with six infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 3.5 per 1,000 for those in professional and managerial fields.

Professor Edward Melhuish of the Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues at Birkbeck College, London, described infant mortality as a 'marker' for general child health.

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