Infant mortality as a health status indicator: national ethnic and regional trends in Israel.

Trends in infant mortality rate (IMR) in Israel particularly for the period 1970-1984 are presented. There has been a major decline in IMR for all ethnic groups 45.5% for Jews and 50.2% for non-Jews between 1970 and 1984. Substantial disparities however are seen among different ethnic regional and socioeconomic groups in the society. The use of IMR as a health status indicator is discussed. (EXCERPT)