Data and Intelligence
The Department of Health and Social Care have a Child and Maternal Health Profile on their “Fingertips” data tool which includes data related to Infant Mortality. The latest information can be viewed. Child and Maternal Health | Fingertips | Department of Health and Social Care
The following information is a summary of key findings from this information when viewed in 2025.
Infant Mortality
Hartlepool’s infant mortality rate has fluctuated since 2001–03, peaking in 2006–08 before falling to 2.1 per 1,000 in 2018–20. However, the rate has since increased to 5.4 per 1,000 in 2021–23, which is higher than both the regional and national rates (4.1).
Stillbirths
The stillbirth rate has generally declined since 2017–19, falling from 5.3 per 1,000 to 4.3 per 1,000 in 2021–23, though it remains above the North East (3.9) and England (4.0). Historically, Hartlepool’s rates have been inconsistent and often higher than England’s.
Neonatal and Post-Neonatal Mortality
Neonatal mortality has varied significantly over time, with a sharp rise from 2.2 per 1,000 in 2020–22 to 4.0 per 1,000 in 2021–23, exceeding both the North East (2.9) and England (3.0).
Post-neonatal mortality has also fluctuated year to year, but is most often higher than England, with the latest rate at 1.5 per 1,000 compared to 1.2 regionally and 1.1 nationally.
Birth Weight
- Very low birth weight decreased to 1.0% in 2022, higher than the North East (0.9%) and equal to England (1.0%).
- Low birth weight at term fell to 2.7% in 2022, below the region (3.0%) and England (2.9%), though Hartlepool’s trend has been more erratic than England’s.
Maternal Health
- Smoking during pregnancy dropped to 15.0% in 2023/24, lower than the North East (16.4%) but above England (13.6%).
- Smoking at delivery continues to decline but remains higher at 10.6% compared to 10.2% regionally and 7.4% nationally.
- Obesity in early pregnancy is rising, with 35.1% of pregnant women obese, above the England average.
Teenage Mothers
The proportion of teenage mothers has increased since 2018/19 to 1.7% in 2023/24, remaining consistently higher than England despite an overall long-term decline.
Infant Feeding
Breastfeeding initiation has fallen sharply from 96.6% in 2021/22 to 47.3% in 2023/24, now below both England and the North East.
Deprivation
Hartlepool’s deprivation score (IMD 2019) is 35.0, significantly higher than the North East (28.0) and England (21.7), highlighting socioeconomic challenges that may influence maternal and infant health outcomes.