Shifting age parity distribution of births and the decrease in infant mortality

Abstract

Possible causes for a decline in the infant mortality rate in the USA during the late 1960s are proposed and examined statistically. 27% of the decline for 1965 to 1972 is attributable solely to shifts in age of mother and birth order of infant. Individual 'family planning' has thus made a greater contribution to the reduction of infant mortality than has been previously realized.