Health disparities: the effects of race/ethnicity and maternal education on infant mortality

Abstract

New Jersey has among the highest racial disparity between African American/Black vs White infant mortality (8.8 compared to 2.3 per 1000 live births). In published studies, Black/African American - White racial disparity (measured by risk ratio) actually increases with greater maternal education. The purposes of this study are 1) to estimate infant mortality by maternal education and race; and 2) to determine the extent to which education levels are associated with the reduction of disparities due to maternal race (Black vs. White; Hispanic vs. White).