Why Are Black Infant Mortality Rates So High in the U.S.? 

In the United States, Black infants are twice as likely as White infants to die before their first birthday: For every 1,000 births in the U.S., the White infant mortality rate is 4.6 while the Black infant mortality rate is 10.8. Why? This special report looks at the science behind those statistics. Poverty and level of education are not notable risk factors to infant mortality rates (IMR). Rather, studies show that longstanding, systemic inequities result in racial disparity in every facet of maternal and infant health. Dr. Renee Canady, CEO of Michigan Public Health Institution, shares her intimate experience of the painful loss of her newborn son, ironically after studying these complex issues for years. Also contributing to this report: Dawn Shanafelt, director of Maternal and Infant Health with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and Dr. Alane Laws-Barker.

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