What does this measure?

The proportion of babies born with low birth weights (less than 2,500 grams or about 5.5 pounds) out of all live births.

Why is this important?

Low birth weight is a leading predictor of neonatal death. Low birth-weight infants are also more likely than normal birth-weight infants to experience long-term developmental and neurological disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that maternal smoking is the cause of 20% to 30% of all low-weight births in the United States.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In 2007, 7.8% of babies in the Greater Capital Region had low birth weights, slightly lower than the statewide rate of 8.1%. Historically, the region’s rates have averaged less than one percentage point lower than state rates. Since 1997, Albany and Schenectady counties tended to have the highest rates in the region averaging 7.9%. In 2007, no area counties met the Healthy People 2010 goal of no more than 5% low-weight births.

Notes about the data

Schoharie County’s rates are considered unstable by the Health Department because they are based upon small numbers, which makes it difficult to distinguish random fluctuation from true changes.