What does the infant mortality rate measure?

The infant mortality rate specifically measures the number of infants who die before reaching one year of age, typically expressed per 1,000 live births. This statistic is crucial for understanding the overall health and well-being of a population, especially regarding maternal health and healthcare services available to infants. High infant mortality rates often indicate problems within a healthcare system, including a lack of access to sufficient medical care, poor nutrition, and high incidences of disease among newborns. Therefore, the measurement focuses solely on early life survivability and provides essential insights into public health factors that can be addressed to improve outcomes for future generations.