Does Money Make a Difference? An Analysis of Socio-Economic Status and its Relationship to Infant Mortality in the Black American Community
Location
SU-215
Department
Other
Abstract
Compared to other high-income countries (HIC), the United States has the highest infant mortality rate (IMR). 5.60 American infants of every 1,000 live births die before their first birthday, a majority of which are Black infants. While there is research examining the causes of infant mortality within the United States, there is limited research looking at socioeconomic factors (income, education, employment status, housing status, etc.) that contribute to a higher infant mortality rate within the Black American community. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to investigate how the socioeconomic factor, household income, impacts the Black infant mortality rate. This study utilizes data from national registries like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the National Vital Statistics System, and the National Linked Birth/Infant Death from 2021-2022, to conduct an in-depth analysis of whether having more money in the Black community will place an individual at lower risk of experiencing infant mortality. Based on an extensive literature review, the expected findings will show that higher socioeconomic-status Black Americans will have a lower infant mortality rate than lower socioeconomic-status Black Americans. To mitigate the high infant mortality rate in the Black American community, immediate action must be taken to understand all factors contributing to this social phenomenon and implement systemic changes through policies in attempts to preserve Black lives.
Faculty Sponsor
Chika Ejike
Does Money Make a Difference? An Analysis of Socio-Economic Status and its Relationship to Infant Mortality in the Black American Community
SU-215
Compared to other high-income countries (HIC), the United States has the highest infant mortality rate (IMR). 5.60 American infants of every 1,000 live births die before their first birthday, a majority of which are Black infants. While there is research examining the causes of infant mortality within the United States, there is limited research looking at socioeconomic factors (income, education, employment status, housing status, etc.) that contribute to a higher infant mortality rate within the Black American community. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to investigate how the socioeconomic factor, household income, impacts the Black infant mortality rate. This study utilizes data from national registries like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the National Vital Statistics System, and the National Linked Birth/Infant Death from 2021-2022, to conduct an in-depth analysis of whether having more money in the Black community will place an individual at lower risk of experiencing infant mortality. Based on an extensive literature review, the expected findings will show that higher socioeconomic-status Black Americans will have a lower infant mortality rate than lower socioeconomic-status Black Americans. To mitigate the high infant mortality rate in the Black American community, immediate action must be taken to understand all factors contributing to this social phenomenon and implement systemic changes through policies in attempts to preserve Black lives.