The evolution of infant mortality inequality in the United States, 1960–2016

Abstract

What is the relationship between infant mortality and poverty in the United States and how has it changed over time? We address this question by analyzing county-level data between 1960 and 2016. Our estimates suggest that level differences in mortality rates between the poorest and least poor counties decreased meaningfully between 1960 and 2000. Nearly three-quarters of the decrease occurred between 1960 and 1980, coincident with the introduction of antipoverty programs and improvements in medical care for infants. We estimate that declining inequality accounts for 18% of the national reduction in infant mortality between 1960 and 2000. However, we also find that level differences between the poorest and least poor counties remained constant between 2000 and 2016, suggesting an important role for policies that improve the health of infants in poor areas.

Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits sexually dimorphic placental immune responses

“…Mortality and morbidity risk during the perinatal period and infancy is higher in males than in females (1)(2)(3)(4). The underlying susceptibility of males may relate to evolutionary differences that occur throughout pregnancy and in the perinatal period, but the precise mechanistic differences that lead to this differential female survival benefit are not completely understood.…”

Sexually dimorphic placental responses to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…All participants provided written informed consent (virtual). Pregnant women were eligible for inclusion if they were: (1) 18 years of age or older, (2) able to provide informed consent or had a healthcare proxy to do so, (3) diagnosed with, or at risk for, SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to wide community spread in Massachusetts during the study period ( 101 ), all pregnant women presenting for hospital care were deemed “at risk” for SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

“…Mortality and morbidity risk during the perinatal period and infancy is significantly higher in males than in females (1)(2)(3)(4). The underlying susceptibility of males may relate to evolutionary differences that occur throughout pregnancy and in the perinatal period, but the precise mechanistic differences that lead to this differential female survival benefit is not completely understood.…”

RETRACTED: Income Shocks and Child Mortality Rates: Evidence from Fluctuations in Oil Prices

“…A small but growing body of literature establishes the fact that improvements in income and welfare reduce child mortality rates. Turner et al (2020) explore the dynamics in infant mortality in the US at the county-level between the years 1960-2016. They find that poor counties have relatively higher infant mortality rates compared to rich counties and that these gaps partially close between the years 1960-2000 while the largest reduction occurs between the years 1960-1980 which coincides with the introduction of a series of welfare programs including food stamp, Medicaid, and raises in unemployment insurance benefits.…”