What does this measure?
The number of babies born with low birth weight (less than 2,500 grams or about 5.5 pounds) expressed as a percentage of all live births, reported by race/ethnicity in Monroe County.
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 our region performing?
Among racial and ethnic groups in Monroe County, low birth weights were highest among African American babies, 15% in 2018. Between 2000 and 2018, the rate among Hispanic babies increased from 7% to 11% and remained steady among white babies at 6% and African American babies at 15%.
Notes about the data
None.
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 15% | 11% | 6% |
Rochester | 17% | 11% | 7% |
Notes: Percentage of babies born with a birthweight < 5.5 pounds.
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 256 | 104 | 264 |
Rochester | 214 | 75 | 52 |
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 15% | 7% | 6% |
Notes: Percentage of babies born with a birthweight < 5.5 pounds.
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 280 | 54 | 305 |



INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic | REGIONAL VALUE | YEAR | NYS COMPARISON | TREND | REGION |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prenatal Care | 78% | 2018 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights | 8.1% | 2018 |
2
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Infant Mortality Rate | 7.0 | 2016-18 |
2
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels | 0.9% | 2016 |
2
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Children in Poverty | 19% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Single-Parent Families | 39% | 2015-19 |
2
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect | 21 | 2019 |
2
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Rate of Foster Care Admissions | 2.4 | 2019 |
2
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Rate of Teen Pregnancy | 2% | 2017 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Rate of Teen Births | 12 | 2018 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|


