Income Inequality and Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality in Texas Counties

Jesmin, Syeda S., Income Inequality and Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality in Texas Counties. Master of Public Health (Health Services Research), May, 2004, 63 pp., 7 tables, 2 figures, references, 74 titles. This study provides an initial examination of predictors of differences of infant mortality between African-Americans and Whites. Guided by Wilkinson’s theory, it was hypothesized that income inequality among the population is a significant predictor of infant mortality disparities. A number of socioeconomic and health services variables were used in this study to control for the effects of income inequality on the dependent variable. Findings suggest that income inequality of a county is not a direct predictor of higher infant mortality of African-Americans than Whites. However, the association of inequality and IMR gap varies based on the metropolitan status of the county. Insurance status was found to have a negative effect on IMR gap, which implies the importance of including variables other than related to access (such as, quality of care) in future research.