New report shows child deaths up sharply in North Carolina 

Child Mortality Rate in North Carolina Reaches Highest Level in Over a Decade

A new report from the state Child Fatality Task Force reveals that North Carolina’s child mortality rate has reached its highest level in more than a decade in 2022.

Rising Child Mortality Rate

The child mortality rate in North Carolina rose to 64.2 per 100,000 in 2022, marking an 8% increase compared to the rate reported in 2021. This is the highest rate recorded since 2009.

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial in addressing the challenges associated with child mortality. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and health of children to achieve SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being for All.

Task Force Recommendations

The Child Fatality Task Force provides annual recommendations to state lawmakers regarding policy changes aimed at improving children’s health. However, it is important for lawmakers to consistently implement these recommendations to ensure positive outcomes.

Trends in Child Mortality

While deaths among teenagers aged 15 to 17 slightly decreased from 2021, deaths due to unintentional injuries among children aged 1 to 4 significantly increased. These injuries include drowning, poisoning, suffocation, choking, strangulation, unintentional fires, and excessive exposure to natural heat.

• Six young children died in 2022 from excessive heat, according to state data.

Furthermore, deaths caused by medical problems such as cancer and diseases were higher in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the increase in child mortality, with 17 children in North Carolina losing their lives to the virus in 2022, compared to 14 in 2021.

Positive Developments

On a positive note, child suicide rates decreased significantly from 5.8 per 100,000 children in 2021 to 4.5 per 100,000 in 2022. Additionally, firearm deaths slightly declined.

However, the Child Fatality Task Force remains committed to addressing the ongoing issues of suicides and firearm deaths, as these trends have been increasing over the past 20 years. The task force continues to make recommendations to tackle these challenges, especially considering the current youth mental health crisis.

Emerging Concerns

Homicides and deaths from accidental poisonings increased in 2022. Notably, 94% of accidental poisonings involved fentanyl, either alone or combined with other substances.

Infant Mortality Rate and Racial Disparities

The report also highlighted that North Carolina’s infant mortality rate did not decrease in 2022, remaining at 6.8 deaths per 1,000 births. The leading causes of infant mortality were prematurity, low birth weight, and birth defects.

Furthermore, racial disparities persisted, with black infants being more than twice as likely to die compared to white infants. Black children accounted for nearly four out of ten child deaths. Additionally, the mortality rate among Native American and Hispanic children also increased in 2022.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
   • Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
   • Indicator 3.2.2: Neonatal mortality rate

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
   • Indicator 10.2.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues:

The child mortality rate in North Carolina is a key concern related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The article mentions an increase in child mortality rate, deaths due to unintentional injuries, deaths from medical problems, and deaths from COVID-19. These issues directly relate to the goal of ensuring good health and well-being for all.

The racial disparities in child mortality rates mentioned in the article also highlight the need to address inequalities, which aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. Specific targets based on the article’s content:

Based on the article’s content, the following targets can be identified:

• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article:

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
• Indicator 3.2.2: Neonatal mortality rate
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
• Indicator 10.2.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: wral.com

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