INFANT-MORTALITY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHITES AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS - THE EFFECT OF MATERNAL EDUCATION

Objectives. Despite decreasing infant mortality in North Carolina, the gap between African Americans and Whites persists. This study examine d how racial differences in infant mortality vary by maternal educatio n. Methods. Data came from Linked Birth and Infant Death files for 198 8 through 1993. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for confo unders. Results. Infant mortality risk ratios comparing African Americ ans and Whites increased with higher levels of maternal education. Edu cation beyond high school reduced risk of infant mortality by 20% amon g Whites but had little effect among African Americans. Conclusions. H igher education magnifies racial differences in infant mortality on a multiplicative scale. Possible reasons include greater stress, fewer e conomic resources, and poorer duality of prenatal care among African A mericans.