Infant death rate falls in South Carolina

South Carolina DHEC data show a decrease in the rate of infant mortality.  The infant mortality rate dropped from 7.2 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in 2018 to 6.9 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in 2019.  This reflects 26 fewer deaths in 2019 than the previous year. There were eight Oconee County infant deaths in 2019.  During the years 2017-2019 there were 20 Oconee infant deaths.  While the population has seen a 4.2% drop in the infant mortality rate, DHEC reports racial disparities remain a concern.