While the United States infant mortality rate is declining, it still remains higher than rates in other developed countries. The low birth weight rate for the nation has increased in recent years to a level higher than that of 15 years ago. Studies indicate that maternal behaviors such as smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and limited use of prenatal care may be inhibiting further declines in these rates.
Information is collected by surveying a sample of women who have recently given birth.
This surveillance system was developed to supplement vital records data and to generate state-specific data about perinatal health. Colorado continues to have one of the highest low birth weight rates in the nation for total births and for births in all major racial and ethnic groups. Participants complete the surveys and return them to the health department where all answers are grouped to provide data for the entire state. The written questionnaires and telephone interviews can both be completed in Spanish when necessary. Approximately 240 women in Colorado will receive the survey each month, with an expected response rate of at least 70 percent.