2017 Research in the Capitol

Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Keywords

Infants--Mortality--Social aspects--United States; African American infants--Social conditions;

Abstract

The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among countries with similar economies. In addition, significant disparities are present between races within this health indicator. According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate in 2013 among non-Hispanic whites was 5.06 infant deaths per 1,000 live births; the infant mortality rate for Black Americans was 11.11 - more than double. The purpose of this research is to explore a) sociocultural risk factors for disparities in infant mortality rates and b) whether institutionalized racism contributes to those risk factors. The social ecological model will be used as a theoretical framework. Literature was examined to determine whether and how experiences related to racism contribute to this health disparity in infant mortality. A better understanding of the possible ways institutionalized racism affects infant mortality and our nation’s health will help communities develop health promotion efforts to end this disparity.

Start Date

28-3-2017 11:30 AM

End Date

28-3-2017 1:30 PM

Event Host

University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities

Faculty Advisor

Disa Cornish

Department

School of Kinesiology, Allied Health, and Human Services

Department

Division of Health Promotion and Education

File Format

application/pdf

Download
Related Work

Comments?

Share

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 11:30 AM Mar 28th, 1:30 PM

Disparities in Infant Mortality: Are Sociocultural Risk Factors Shaped by Institutionalized Racism? [Poster]

The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among countries with similar economies. In addition, significant disparities are present between races within this health indicator. According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate in 2013 among non-Hispanic whites was 5.06 infant deaths per 1,000 live births; the infant mortality rate for Black Americans was 11.11 - more than double. The purpose of this research is to explore a) sociocultural risk factors for disparities in infant mortality rates and b) whether institutionalized racism contributes to those risk factors. The social ecological model will be used as a theoretical framework. Literature was examined to determine whether and how experiences related to racism contribute to this health disparity in infant mortality. A better understanding of the possible ways institutionalized racism affects infant mortality and our nation’s health will help communities develop health promotion efforts to end this disparity.