North Carolina's infant mortality rate declined in 2024, but racial disparities remained. (Photo: Getty Images)
North Carolina’s infant mortality rate dropped in 2024 to what state health officials say is a historic low.
The infant death rate dropped from 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births in 2023 to 6.3 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024, an 8.7% decline. However, the overall improvement did not do much to narrow the gulf between Black and white infant death rates.
Additionally, deaths from drug overdoses declined more than 34% from 2023 to 2024, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina’s drop in fatal overdoses outpaced the national decline. The CDC reported a national age-adjusted decrease of 26.2%.
DHHS attributed 2024’s improved infant death rate to Medicaid expansion. North Carolina expanded Medicaid on Dec. 1, 2023. As of March 2, 2026, expanded Medicaid covered more than 720,000 North Carolinians, according to DHHS.
Research studies have found that states that expanded Medicaid showed greater declines in infant mortality than states that did not expand Medicaid. Those improvements were attributed to declines in Black and Latino infant death rates.
In North Carolina, white, Black and Latino infants were more likely to live through their first year in 2024 than in 2023. Death rates among Latino babies showed the greatest decline, from 6 per 1,000 births in 2023 to 4.4 per 1,000 in 2024, representing a 26% drop.
Still, the longstanding gulf between Black and white infant mortality rates persisted into 2024. Black babies born in North Carolina remained about 3 times more likely to die before their first birthdays.
In its news release, DHHS called the disparity “unacceptable” and said it is working to narrow the gap.
Disparities in health care predicted to worsen as ACA health insurance subsidies end
Stein attributed the decline in overdose deaths to Medicaid expansion and to the settlement with drug companies he helped negotiate as state attorney general. The settlement is bringing about $1.5 billion to the state through 2038, with about 85% of the money going to local governments.
“This sharp decline in overdose-related deaths is a clear demonstration of the investments North Carolina has made to keep people safe and healthy,” Stein said in a statement.
DHHS also attributes the decline in fatal overdoses in 2024 to the $834 million in American Rescue Plan money the state legislature voted in 2023 to spend on expanding access to behavioral health services and to naloxone.
“The decrease in deaths in North Carolina marks progress in building healthier communities and is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together,” DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said in a statement.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
SUPPORTHence then, the article about nc s infant mortality rate and drug overdose deaths declined in 2024 was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( NC’s Infant mortality rate and drug overdose deaths declined in 2024 )
Also on site :
- This Iconic 1974 Dress Was Purchased Over 1 Million Times in Its First 2 Years—and It’s Still Popular Today
- ‘Minions & Monsters’ To Open Annecy Animation Film Festival
- British TV legend Nicola Walker's much-anticipated "messy" anti-romantic comedy confirms release date