The infant mortality rate varies considerably by race, with the rate for blacks (2021) being twice as high as that for whites or Latinos.  The rates also vary by geographic area, with some counties in Arkansas having rates four times higher than the rates in other counties.

Infant mortality rates in Arkansas by county for 2017 to 2021

Data Source: Health Statistics Branch, Arkansas Department of Health

Note: Data are provisional and may change.  Some counties experienced a small number of infant deaths (less than 10) during this five-year period; therefore, caution should be taken when interpreting the data.

High infant mortality is an indication of serious public health problems.  Arkansas has a higher infant mortality rate (death of the infant in the first year of life) than the average for the U.S., a higher neonatal mortality rate (death of the infant in the first 28 days of life), and a higher post-neonatal mortality rate (death of the infant between the ages of 28 days and one year).