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Differences in infant mortality between blacks and whites--United States, 1980-1991
Insights
Racial disparities in infant mortality persist, with Black infants experiencing twice the mortality and low birthweight rates compared to White infants. Addressing these gaps is crucial for meeting national health objectives.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- National health objectives aim to reduce overall and Black infant mortality rates by the year 2000.
- Infant mortality is a significant cause of excess deaths among Black individuals under 45.
- Persistent disparities in infant mortality and low birthweight (LBW) exist between Black and White populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in race-specific infant mortality, low birthweight (LBW), and very low birthweight (VLBW) rates.
- To characterize the ratios of these rates between Black and White populations from 1980 to 1991.
- To inform strategies for reducing racial disparities in infant health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of published final birth and mortality statistics from 1980 through 1991.
- Calculation of race-specific infant mortality rates (deaths per 1000 live births).
- Calculation of race-specific low birthweight (LBW) and very low birthweight (VLBW) rates.
Main Results:
- The study examined trends in infant mortality, LBW, and VLBW rates between Black and White populations.
- Historically, Black infants have experienced mortality and LBW rates approximately double those of White infants.
- These ratios remained largely unchanged through the early 1980s, indicating persistent disparities.
Conclusions:
- Reducing race-specific differences in infant mortality is essential to achieve national health goals.
- The persistent high rates of infant mortality and LBW among Black infants require targeted interventions.
- Continued monitoring of these disparities is necessary to track progress and inform public health policy.
Abstract:
National health objectives for the year 2000 include reducing the overall infant mortality rate (i.e., deaths at age < 1 year per 1000 live births) to no more than 7.0 per 1000 live births (objective 14.1) and the infant mortality rate for blacks to no more than 11.0 (objective 14.1a). Achieving this goal will require reducing the race-specific differences in infant mortality. During 1979-1981, infant mortality was the second leading cause of excess deaths among blacks aged < 45 years, accounting for approximately 6000 more deaths among black infants than among white infants. Since 1960, rates for infant mortality and low birthweight (LBW) (< 2500 g [< 5 lbs, 8 oz]) for blacks were twice those for whites; these ratios remained stable through the early 1980s. To characterize current trends in the ratios of race-specific infant mortality, LBW, and very low birthweight (VLBW) (< 1500 g [< 3 lbs, 4 oz]) rates among blacks and whites, data were analyzed from published reports of final birth and mortality statistics from 1980 through 1991*. This report summarizes the results of that analysis.