|
...early (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) and/or too small (with birth weight of less than 2,500 grams). Black infants are two to three times as likely as their white counterparts to be born prematurely and/or with low birth weight. Premature or low-birth weight infants who survive beyond infancy are far more likely than other infants to suffer major developmental problems, including cognitive, behavioral, and physical deficits during childhood, with lasting consequences in adulthood. They also have poorer prospects for employment and wages as adults. Prematurity and low birth weight (together referred to as adverse birth outcomes) also predict poor adult health, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, all of which raise risks of disability and premature mortality. Caregiving to chronically ill and/or disabled survivors of adverse birth outcomes is a tremendous economic burden on families and society.
A growing body of research has been conducted in recent years into the causes of the racial disparities. The research has examined a wide range of possible factors, including differences in prenatal care, differences in women's health before they become pregnant, and infections. This research has produced useful insights but has not identified a clear cause for racial disparities. More recently, researchers have hypothesized a role for stress and adverse experiences throughout life, not just during pregnancy, as possible explanations. Much greater research investment is necessary if we are going to solve the puzzle of why racial disparities in birth outcomes persist.
At least in one major area there is now a strong scientific consensus: Differences in prenatal care are unlikely to explain racial disparities in prematurity and low birth weight. Black/white disparities in receipt of prenatal care have narrowed markedly over time, particularly with major expansions of Medicaid maternity care coverage beginning around 1990, without concomitant narrowing of birth-outcome disparities. In...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos
have been removed from this article.
More articles from Issues in Science and Technology
Freedom of speech in government science.(PERSPECTIVES)(Viewpoint essay..., January 01, 2008
Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.
Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication
name or publication date.
About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company
analysis or best practices in managing your organization,
Goliath can help you meet your business needs.
Our extensive business information databases empower business
professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible,
authoritative information they need to support their business
goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting,
company research or defining management best practices -
Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.
|
(report)%20%20&position=1)