Health Disparities Among African American Infants

The incidence of cancer is higher in Black Americans, both men and women, than non-Hispanic Whites. Men are more likely to have lung, pancreatic and stomach cancer. They are more likely to die from prostate cancer. Black African American women are 36% more likely to die from breast cancer.

I completely agree with your claims regarding the presence of racial disparity within the spectrum of health and how maternal health during pregnancy can lead to significant adverse effects on the health of the fetus. I found this to be highly interesting as I was unaware about how much disparity is prevalent within different races across the board. For example, an African American man in Harlem is less likely than a man in in Bangladesh to survive to age 65 or how low-birth-weights are high amongst African American mothers in comparison to white mothers (Kuzawa and Sweet 2-7). Furthermore, other information discussed within the article regarding how environmental and genetic factors could have a lifelong impact on infants during pregnancy

As of 2014, North Carolina ranks as the 8th worst state for infant mortality in the United States with a slight improvement from holding the number one position in 1988. (Health Start Foundation, 2014) As infant mortality rate is broken down by demographics and ethnicity a clearer picture opens the doors of perception and explores preventative measures for this at risk population. African Americans represent 22% of North

In addition to infant mortality, infant survivors of LBW and preterm delivery, often experience greater problems in childhood and adulthood. Some of these experiences include higher rates of respiratory illness, impaired growth, cognitive and emotional deficiencies, lower academic achievement and risk of hypertension, diabetes and mental health issues (Behrman and Butler, 2007, Conley and Bennett, 2000 and Raikkonen et al., 2007). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) report that African American pregnancies are at an elevated risk for poor birth outcomes. Figure 1. shows national birth outcomes for African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian pregnancies, as reported by the CDC in 2013:

After a great deal of research and strong evidence to support such claims, I have come to the conclusion that the cause of the black and white infant mortality gap can be attributed to the near two-fold increased rates of low birth weight and preterm births, and the near three-fold increased rates of very low birth weight and very preterm births among black infants. However, the cause of the racial disparities between such birth outcome rates remains largely unexplained. Most studies focus on differential exposures to risk, such as high teen pregnancy rates, single motherhood, lower education levels, poverty, and even genetic causes, but these factors do not adequately account for the racial disparities in birth outcomes. Based off of the studies previously mentioned, the lack of prenatal support, social support, and high allostatic load appear to be some of the main factors that contribute to accounting for the black and white infant mortality gap. As a result, researches have recently proposed an alternative approach to examining racial-ethnic disparities in birth outcomes using a “life course perspective”. A life course perspective, as defined by scientist Michael Lu, is known to “conceptualize birth outcomes as the end product of not only the nine months of pregnancy but the entire life course of the mother before the pregnancy.”

The socioeconomic status of African-Americans also plays an important part in the health disparity present in this minority group. According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, the largest state population of African-Americans is seen in New York at 3.3 million. In 2000, it was estimated that 88% of the United States African-American population lived in Metropolitan areas. A 2007 article in California Law Review entitled Fast Food: Oppression through Poor Nutrition, very plainly points out that the location of most

For the America by the Numbers with Maria Hinojosa assignment, I chose to watch the episode “Surviving Year One”. This episode was about the infant mortality rate in Rochester, New York. The infant mortality rate and the poverty rate for this area is very high. The episode also discussed pre-natal care, pregnancy stress, poverty, and marital services. In Rochester, African American babies are twice as likely to be victims of infant mortality or 11.46%. Other racial groups affected include: Puerto Ricans at 7.10%, Native Americans at 8.28%, and Whites at 5.18%. Not only are African American babies more prone to infant mortality, but preterm births hit this community hard at 16.3%. Factor possibly contributing to the infant mortality and preterm

African Americans are twice as likely to die of an illness such as cancer and heart disease as well as, less likely to have health access compared to any other race. African Americans are yet subject to racial discrimination and stereotypes in the health care, that leads them without the correct health screenings and treatments. The root of these racial disparities connects with the intersectionality of race, class, gender and education.

Though it has been apparent that people of color have been treated as a subclass within the medical field for centuries; as was brought to light in The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, the recognition of forced hysterectomies and sterilizations of African American women in the 20th century and, to “The Negro Project” which worked to reduce the African American population through eugenics (Feagin & Bennefield, 2014). With even these three examples it is clear that the medical field has played a large role in creating both psychological and physical disadvantages and trauma for minority groups in America. Yet, it seems to be a subject that many professionals refuse to address. A meta-analysis conducted by Mayberry, Mili and Ofili found that,

In our community, disparities in mortality rates have been shown to be influenced by the unequal distribution of resources such as adequate income, quality nutrition, jobs, transportation, insurance enrollment, stable housing and education level. In Columbus, black families are more likely to be affected by poverty, joblessness and education deficits and in turn are more likely to experience an infant death. Considering this information, city government should enact laws, write policy, and develop programs that would decrease the infant mortality disparities in the black community and improve social and economic conditions (Greater Columbus Infant Mortality Task Force,

Race-based health disparities are believed to exist because African Americans have poorer access to care, receive lower quality healthcare treatment, and have generally poorer health outcomes than whites. In addition, African Americans also receive poorer pain treatment.

When looking at infant mortality rates in the lowest class evidence shows that double the amount of babies die in comparison to the highest class this can be linked to poverty the poorer you are the worse your chances are even at birth. These following factors increase the risk of infant death; the age of the mother aged less than 18 years is the highest and the lowest for mothers between 30 and 34. With the high teenage pregnancy epidemic and women from lower social class background the most at risk from losing their baby.

Health disparities undoubtedly exist among different racial groups with Healthy People 2020 identifying reducing racial gaps and infant mortality as a critical objective (Loggins & Andrade, 2013). Black children are reportedly two times more likely to die during their first year of life than white children (Huffington Post). Furthermore, the overall infant mortality rate is 6 deaths per 1,000 births, but for African American infants the mortality rate is 13.31 deaths per 1,000 births (CDC). There have been many medical advances, such as prescreening to find health issues that contribute to health disparities, but each racial group still do not benefit equally.

Discuss disparities related to ethnic and cultural groups relative to low birth weight infants and preterm births.

Higher infant mortality, shorter life expectancy, higher incarceration of young men of color during their most reproductive ages compounded with the other well known risks associated