scholarly journals RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFANT MORTALITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANKLIN W. GOZA ◽  
EDWARD G. STOCKWELL ◽  
KELLY S. BALISTRERI

SummaryThis study presents an ecological analysis of the relationship between infant mortality and economic status by race in metropolitan Ohio, using census data on mother’s residence and economic status determined by the percentage of low-income families living in each area. The analysis updates previous studies as white–non-white comparisons for total infant mortality are examined for the US censuses of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000; and more detailed period- and broad cause-specific rates are presented for 2000. A pronounced inverse association is consistently found between income status and infant mortality for whites, while for non-whites this pattern first emerges in 1979–81, disappears during the 1980s and then returns more strongly during the 1990s. Similarly, the 2000 data reveal a consistent inverse pattern between income status and infant mortality for white and non-white neonatal and postneonatal death rates, as well as exogenous cause-specific death rates. It is concluded that low-income whites and non-whites have infant mortality rates substantially higher than the overall rate for the population. Policy implications are discussed.

1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward G. Stockwell ◽  
Franklin W. Goza

SummaryThis paper presents an ecological analysis of the relationship between infant mortality and economic status by race in metropolitan Ohio, using census data on mother's residence, and economic status determined by the percentage of low income families living in each area. White–non-white comparisons for total infant mortality are examined for the US censuses of 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990; and more detailed period- and broad cause-specific rates are presented for 1990. A pronounced inverse association is found between income status and infant mortality for whites, but not for non-whites. Non-white post-neonatal death rates were higher for the lowest income area, but for neonatal mortality, total infant deaths, and exogenous and endogenous cause-specific death rates, there was no discernible socioeconomic differential. It is concluded that low income whites and non-whites at all income levels have infant mortality rates that are substantially higher than the overall rate for the population. Policy implications are discussed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254060
Author(s):  
Richard Marcantonio ◽  
Debra Javeline ◽  
Sean Field ◽  
Agustin Fuentes

Previous research demonstrates that low-income countries face higher risks than high-income countries from toxic pollution and climate change. However, the relationship between these two risks is little explored or tested, and efforts to address the risks are often independent and uncoordinated. We argue that the global risks from toxic pollution and climate change are highly correlated and should be jointly analyzed in order to inform and better target efforts to reduce or mitigate both risks. We provide such analysis for 176 countries and found a strong (rs = -0.798;95%CI -0.852, -0.727) and significant (p<0.0001) relationship between the distribution of climate risk and toxic pollution. We also found that inequities in pollution production, economic status, and institutional readiness are interconnected and exacerbate risk for countries already in the highest risk categories for both toxic and non-toxic (greenhouse gas) pollution. The findings have policy implications, including the use of the proposed Target assessment to decide where best to address toxic and non-toxic pollution simultaneously, based on the need to minimize human suffering and maximize return on effort.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i54-i62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M B Menezes ◽  
Fernando C Barros ◽  
Bernardo L Horta ◽  
Alicia Matijasevich ◽  
Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infant-mortality rates have been declining in many low- and middle-income countries, including Brazil. Information on causes of death and on socio-economic inequalities is scarce. Methods Four birth cohorts were carried out in the city of Pelotas in 1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015, each including all hospital births in the calendar year. Surveillance in hospitals and vital registries, accompanied by interviews with doctors and families, detected fetal and infant deaths and ascertained their causes. Late-fetal (stillbirth)-, neonatal- and post-neonatal-death rates were calculated. Results All-cause and cause-specific death rates were reduced. During the study period, stillbirths fell by 47.8% (from 16.1 to 8.4 per 1000), neonatal mortality by 57.0% (from 20.1 to 8.7) and infant mortality by 62.0% (from 36.4 to 13.8). Perinatal causes were the leading causes of death in the four cohorts; deaths due to infectious diseases showed the largest reductions, with diarrhoea causing 25 deaths in 1982 and none in 2015. Late-fetal-, neonatal- and infant-mortality rates were higher for children born to Brown or Black women and to low-income women. Absolute socio-economic inequalities based on income—expressed in deaths per 1000 births—were reduced over time but relative inequalities—expressed as ratios of mortality rates—tended to remain stable. Conclusion The observed improvements are likely due to progress in social determinants of health and expansion of health care. In spite of progress, current levels remain substantially greater than those observed in high-income countries, and social and ethnic inequalities persist.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Lule ◽  
A. M. Elliott ◽  
L. Smeeth ◽  
E. L. Webb

There is substantial evidence of an inverse association between birth weight and later blood pressure (BP) in populations from high-income countries, but whether this applies in low-income countries, where causes of low birth weight are different, is not certain. Objective: We conducted a review of the evidence on the relationship between birth weight and BP among African children and adolescents. Medline, EMBASE, Global Health and Web of Science databases were searched for publications to October 2016. Papers reporting the relationship between birth weight and BP among African children and adolescents were assessed. Bibliographies were searched for further relevant publications. Selected papers were summarized following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. In total, 16 papers from 13 studies conducted in nine African countries (Nigeria, Republic of Seychelles, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Algeria, Zimbabwe and Angola) were reviewed. Eight studies were cohorts, while five were cross-sectional. The relationship between birth weight and later BP varied with age of the participants. Studies in neonates showed a consistently positive association, while predominantly inverse associations were seen among children, and studies in adolescents were inconsistent. Based on the limited number of studies identified, the relationship between birth weight and later BP may vary with age in African children and adolescents. Not all studies adequately controlled for confounding, notably gender or age. Whether the inverse relationship between birth weight and BP in later life observed in Western settings is also seen in Africa remains unclear.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 380-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M Lee ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Mohammad Yahya Zaidi ◽  
Adriana Carolina Gamboa ◽  
Maria C. Russell ◽  
...  

380 Background: Inequities in cancer survival are well documented. Whether disparities in overall survival (OS) result from inherent racial differences in underlying disease biology or socioeconomic factors (SEF) is not known. Our aim was to define the association of race/ethnicity and SEF with OS in pts with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Methods: Pts with CCA of all sites and stages in the National Cancer Data Base (2004-14) were included. Racial/ethnic groups were defined as non-Hispanic White (NH-W), non-Hispanic Black (NH-B), Asian, and Hispanic. Income and education were based on census data for pts’ zip code. Income was defined as high (³$63,000) vs low ( < $63,000). Primary outcome was OS. Results: 27,151 pts were included with a mean age of 68 yrs; 51% were male. 78% were NH-W, 8% NH-B, 6% Asian, and 6% Hispanic. 56% had Medicare, 33% private insurance, 7% Medicaid, and 4% were uninsured. 67% had high income. 21% lived in an area where > 20% of adults did not finish high school. NH-B and Hispanic pts had more unfavorable SEF including uninsured status, low income, and less formal education than NH-W and Asian pts (all p < 0.001). They were also younger, more likely to be female and to have metastatic disease (all p < 0.001). Despite this, NH-B race and Hispanic ethnicity were not associated with decreased OS. Male sex, older age, non-private insurance, low income, lower education, non-academic facility, location outside the Northeast, higher Charlson-Deyo score, worse grade, larger tumor size, and higher stage were all associated with decreased OS (all p < 0.001). On MV analysis, along with adverse pathologic factors, type of insurance (p = 0.003), low income (p < 0.001), and facility type and location of treatment (p < 0.001) remained associated with decreased OS; non-white race/ethnicity was not. Conclusions: Disparities in survival exist in CCA, however they are not driven by race/ethnicity. Non-privately insured and low-income pts had decreased OS, as did pts treated at non-academic centers and outside the Northeast. This suggests that decreased ability to access and afford care results in worse outcomes, rather than biological differences amongst racial/ethnic groups.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-398
Author(s):  
Jessica Owens-Young ◽  
Caryn N. Bell

Objectives: Despite improvements in infant mortality rates (IMR) in the United States, racial gaps in IMR remain and may be driven by both structural racism and place. This study assesses the relationship between structural racism and race-specific IMR and the role of urban-rural classifica­tion on race-specific IMR and Black/White racial gaps in IMR.Methods: We conducted an analysis of variance tests using 2019 County Health Rankings Data to determine differences in structural racism indicators, IMR and other co-variates by urban-rural classification. We used linear regressions to determine the associations between measures of structural racism and county-level health outcomes.Results: Study results suggest that racial inequities in education, work, and home­ownership negatively impact Black IMR, especially in large fringe, medium, and small metro counties, and positively impact White IMR. Structural racism is also associated with Black-White gaps in IMR.Conclusions: Factors related to structural racism may not be homogenous or have the same impacts on overall IMR, race-specific IMR, and racial differences in IMR across places. Understanding these differential impacts can help public health profes­sionals and policymakers improve Black infant health and eliminate racial inequities in IMR. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(3):389-398; doi:10.18865/ed.30.3.389


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Rothman ◽  
Marie-Soleil Cloutier ◽  
Kevin Manaugh ◽  
Andrew William Howard ◽  
Alison K Macpherson ◽  
...  

BackgroundInvestments in traffic calming infrastructure and other street design features can enhance pedestrian safety as well as contribute to the ‘walkability’ of neighbourhoods. Pedestrian–motor vehicle collisions (PMVCs) in urban areas, however, remain common and occur more frequently in lower income neighbourhoods. While risk and protective features of roadways related to PMVC have been identified, little research exists examining the distribution of roadway environment features. This study examined the relationship between roadway environment features related to child pedestrian safety and census tract income status in Toronto.MethodsSpatial cluster detection based on 2006 census tract data identified low-income and high-income census tract clusters in Toronto. Police-reported PMVC data involving children between the ages of 5 and 14 years were mapped using geographical information system. Also mapped were roadway environment features (densities of speed humps, crossing guards, local roads, one-way streets and missing sidewalks). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between roadway environment features (independent variables) and cluster income status (dependent variable), controlling for child census tract population.ResultsThere were significantly fewer speed humps and local roads in low-income versus high-income clusters. Child PMVC rates were 5.4 times higher in low-income versus high-income clusters.ConclusionSocioeconomic inequities in the distribution of roadway environment features related to child pedestrian safety have policy and process implications related to the safety of child pedestrians in urban neighbourhoods.


1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward G. Stockwell ◽  
David A. Swanson ◽  
Jerry W. Wicks

Thorax ◽  
2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Mallol ◽  
Jose A. Castro-Rodriguez ◽  
Eliana Cortez ◽  
Viviana Aguirre ◽  
Pedro Aguilar ◽  
...  

Background: Although global studies as ISAAC have provided with valuable data on the prevalence of asthma in children of Latin America, there is very few information on the relationship between asthma symptoms, pulmonary function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy in the region. Methods: This study examined the relationship between self-reported wheezing in the last 12 months, pulmonary function, airway responsiveness and atopy in children from a low-income population neighborhood in Santiago, Chile. Two random samples (100 each) of children aged 13-14 years who participated in ISAAC Phase One were selected according to whether they have reported or not, wheezing in the last 12 months. Spirometry, methacholine bronchial challenge test and prick test were performed in all individuals. Results: Children who reported current wheezing had significantly higher bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine as compared to those without wheezing (71.6% vs.52.6%, respectively; p=0.007,) and no significant difference was found in FEV1 (116.7„b12.3% vs. 120.3„b14.5%, respectively, p=0.11). The prevalence of atopy was not significantly different between those children who reported wheezing as compared to those who did not (44.2% vs. 42.3%; respectively, p=0.89). Multiple regression analysis showed that only BHR to methacholine (OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.25-4.13, p=0.01) and maternal asthma (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.2-8.3, p=0.03) were significant risk factors for current wheezing. Conclusions: Our results support previous findings suggesting that in adolescents from unprivileged populations, self-reported current wheezing is related to BHR but not to atopy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 294-294
Author(s):  
Lauren Wallace ◽  
Elizabeth Racine ◽  
Rajib Paul ◽  
Shafie Gholizadeh ◽  
Caitlan Webster

Abstract Objectives People under stress tend to use unhealthy coping mechanisms including using products like alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy snacks. The purpose of this study is to assess how measures of community socio-economic status, which may be proxies for community stress, are associated with the sales of unhealthy products (alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy snacks) at a discount variety store chain. Specifically, we consider the following measures of community socio-economic status: population racial/ethnic composition, % of households on SNAP, % of households without a vehicle, walkability score and median community income. Methods Mixed effects linear regressions with random effects were used to examine the relationship between the weekly unit sales (per 1000 population) of three outcome variables (tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy snacks) and community socio-economic factors: % of households on SNAP, % of households without a vehicle, and median community income. Results The sales of alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy snacks increased as the % of the population participating in SNAP increased. Other measures of community socio-economic status were not significantly (at 5% significance level) associated with tobacco or unhealthy snack sales. However, for alcohol sales, increases in: the median household income, walkability score and % of African American residents, were associated with a decrease in alcohol sales. Conclusions Low income neighborhoods frequently experience greater health burden compared to higher income neighborhoods. Understanding and quantifying the relationship between financial stress and unhealthy product consumption can help public health professionals intervene before chronic diseases manifest. Funding Sources Robert Woods Johnson Foundation.


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