TRENDS IN US URBAN BLACK INFANT-MORTALITY, BY DEGREE OF RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION

Trends in Black infant mortality rates from 1952 through 1991 in large US metropolitan statistical areas were examined. In some least-segreg ated areas, the total Black infant mortality rate reached a low of 13 per 1000 live births in 1985; it increased sharply after 1985 in the W est but not in the South. The explanation for these trends is unknown, but variation in regional trends in Black postneonatal infant mortali ty rates suggested that social and medical-care differences among Blac ks should be examined. A high Black infant mortality rate for a group of most-segregated metropolitan statistical areas persisted and contri buted to the rising Black-Whits ratio of rates.