Toward a strategic approach for reducing disparities in infant mortality.
The United States' international ranking for infant mortality slipped from 19th in the 1980s to 27th in 1997. This slippage may be related to the segregation of priorities that occurred early in the 1990s, when national concern was diverted from infant mortality to minority health. To rekindle concern about infant mortality to the level of effective action, public health professionals must refocus the public's attention on assuring that all women are provided adequate education and services to help them avoid unintended pregnancies, that all pregnant women receive services in appropriate facilities, and that the causes of preterm deliveries are discovered. Effective action in these areas would not only improve infant mortality overall; it would also reduce racial and ethnic disparities in infant health.
Hogue
Carol J Rowland
CJ
Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. chogue@sph.emory.edu
Vasquez
Cynthia
C
D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000208:ethnology; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000208:ethnology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology