.nst Tute· . @bullet for .research . . on Poverty, Race, and Infant Mortality in the United States

This paper examines the theoretical and empirical roles of income poverty and race in the determination of infant mortality differentials in the United States. A basic model of the process of infant mortality is conceptualized, which outlines a theory of the influence of a variety of biological, social, and economic factors upon the risk of infant death. Using nationai data gathered in 1964-65, estimates are made for both the black and white populations of the United States of the relative impact of these factors upon infant death. A key feature of this analysis is the application of methods for the analysis of multidimensional contingency tables: these techniques are firmly grounded in statistical theory, allow for rather sophisticated tests of multivariate hypotheses, and are easily interpretable in terms of the relative risks of death observed in various subpopu1ations.' Within the white population, income poverty is found to be associated with substantial differences in the risk of both neonatal and postneonatal mortality, independent of the birthweight of the infant. Prenatal care-~perhaps the major form of health care influencing infant death and disabi1ity--has been found to exert its impact mainly via its influence upon subsequent birthweight of the infant. These results strongly suggest some of the limits of health care in reducing economic differentials. Black-white infant mortality differentials are examined, and although socioeconomic differences contribute to these mortality differentials, the high incidence of low birthweight infants among the black population contributes most to this disparity. Improved prenatal care iS8uggested as one possible mechanism which may serve to alternate these differences. 1. Poverty, Race, and Infant Mortality in the United States