Infant mortality rates have declined for the seventh straight year. If the decline that has occurred in recent years continues, the rate in the year 2000 may be even lower than the projected rate of 7.4 per 1,000 live births. The report also shows that stroke deaths have declined from a rate of 40.4 per 100,000 in 1980 to 27.6 per 100,000 in 1996. High blood pressure or hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke. Other risk factors include cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol and being overweight.
Stroke is the leading cause of severe long-term disability.
The Department of Community Health is actively promoting high blood pressure detection and control and is targeting education efforts at the African American population since this population has experienced a much higher rate of stroke. Diabetes-related deaths have remained stable and the Department of Community Health continues to educate the public and health professionals on screening and identifying individuals who are at risk for diabetes. In Michigan, the rate of teen pregnancy had increased from a rate of 88.0 in 1984 to a high of 98.5 in 1990. Since 1991, a steady decline in teen pregnancy rates has occurred, reaching a low of 77.2 in 1996. If the decline continues, the rate of teen pregnancy could be lower than projected estimates for the year 2000.