(Burlington, NC)  --  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released their infant mortality data from 2011 earlier. Infant mortality is defined as a death of an infant prior to their first birthday.

According to the NC State Center for Health Statistics, the overall infant mortality rate in 2011 for Alamance County was 6.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2010, the overall infant mortality rate for the county was 6.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The NC overall infant mortality rate was 7.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011.

"While our overall infant mortality rate remains virtually unchanged from last year, we have seen significant improvement when looking at trends over time," says Dr. Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, Alamance County Health Department Medical Director. "Compared to the previous five year period from 2002-2006, we have experienced a 23% decrease in infant deaths in the current five year period including 2007-2011. This is truly wonderful news."

Over the five year period 2007-2011, the infant mortality rate was 7.0 infant deaths per 1,000 live births compared to 9.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births during the five year period 2002-2006.