Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality: The Role of Behavioral Factors

Download as .RIS

Citation

Finch, Brian Karl; Frank, Reanne; & Hummer, Robert A. (2000). Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality: The Role of Behavioral Factors. Biodemography and Social Biology, 47(3-4), 244-263.

Abstract

Using the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey 1988 (NMIHS), a nationally representative sample of mothers, we investigate the role of behavioral factors in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality. In particular, we focus on the following variables: weight gain during pregnancy, prenatal care utilization, exercise, vitamin use, and substance use during pregnancy. These analyses are conducted by modeling both time of death (neonatal vs. postneonatal) and cause of death (infections, perinatal complications, delivery complications, congenital malformations, SIDS, other causes) outcomes. Our results suggest that behavioral factors are partially responsible for observed race/ethnic differentials in infant mortality, but are not as important as sociostructural determinants such as SES.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19485565.2000.9989021

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2000

Journal Title

Biodemography and Social Biology

Author(s)

Finch, Brian Karl
Frank, Reanne
Hummer, Robert A.

ORCiD

Hummer - 0000-0003-3058-6383