Researchers at Rigshospitalet have conducted three studies on mortality in children aged 0-5 years. They found a markedly higher mortality in municipalities where new mothers tend to be younger and poorer than the average new mother. The risk of dying is up to four times as high in those areas compared to areas with the lowest infant mortality.

The lowest mortality was found in the two largest cities (Copenhagen and Aarhus), which are typically populated by the more affluent people.

The results do not surprise postdoc at DCE Yongfu Yu. Together with colleagues, he conducted a study on the same topic last year. They found that a low level of education and low income of the mother was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight – which in turn is associated with high risk of infant mortality. He points out that while Danish residents have equal access to the healthcare system, more educated people are better at make use of it and better at looking after the health of themselves and their children. 

The new studies from Copenhagen are all published in PLoS One and have been reported in the media [in Danish]. The previous study from DCE was published in PLos Medicine and mentioned here.