A Review of Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality in the US

Abstract

Racial disparities in infant mortality have persisted, despite the overall decline in the United States’ overall infant mortality rate (IMR). The overall IMR of the entire United States (5.58 per 1000 live births) population masks significant disparities by race and ethnicity: the non-Hispanic Black population experienced an IMR of 10.8 followed by people from Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander populations at 9.4 and American Indians at 8.2. The non-Hispanic White and Asian populations in the United States have the lowest IMR at 4.6 and 3.6, respectively, as of 2018. A variety of factors that characterize minority populations, including experiences of racial discrimination, low income and education levels, poor residential environments, lack of medical insurance, and treatment at low-quality hospitals, demonstrate strong correlations with high infant mortality rates. Identifying, acknowledging, and addressing these disparities must be performed before engaging in strategies to mitigate them. Social determinants of health play a major role in health disparities, including in infant mortality. The study and implementation of programs to address neighborhood factors, education, healthcare access and quality, economic stability, and other personal and societal contexts will help us work towards a common goal of achieving health equity, regardless of racial/ethnic background.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with under-five mortality in the Solomon Islands: an investigation from the 2015 Solomon Islands demographic and health survey data

“…Although there is a dearth of literature locally, studies on ethnic minorities, including women of the Pacific Islands living in the United States, showed that ethnic minority is a risk factor for under-five mortality and other adverse birth outcomes attributed to social disparities and cultural marginalization. 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 Women practising the Roman Catholic or Anglican faiths had a higher risk of under-five mortality, especially during the neonatal and infancy period, than their counterpart sects and religion (Protestant and Pentecostal churches and minor religions). Although there is a paucity of literature on under-five mortality specific to these religions, studies in Mozambique have also hypothesized that affiliation to a particular religion, for instance, those connected to the health sector, could be in a better position for child survival.…”

Association between maternal eating and young child feeding in a community sample

“…However, these findings are consistent when considering social determinants of health and the broader historical context within which minority children have been raised. For example, in some communities, heavier children are more likely to survive and reach adulthood [ 14 ] (for a review, see [ 23 ]). Indeed, Latina mothers describe heavier children as indicative of better health and resistance to illness, whereas thinner children suggest malnourishment, poor parental care, and health [ 34 ].…”

Artificial neural network approaches to identify maternal and infant risk and asset factors using Peridata.Net: a WI-MIOS study

“…Despite decades of research and interventions to improve infant health outcomes, there remain stark differences in who will likely reach their first birthday. 13 , 22 , 23 The gap in effective interventions to reduce infant mortality among non-Hispanic Black birthing parents and infants may stem from ineffective assessment or detection of root causes and risks. 10 Traditional analytical methods for identifying infant and maternal health risks tend to assess complex interactions and nonlinear systems inadequately.…”