Infant mortality and poverty

Subject:

Science and Technology, Social Sciences

Institution Name:

WGBH

Collection:

WGBH Open Vault

Abstract:

Hope Kelly reports on an increase in the infant mortality rate since last year. Kelly reviews statistics on the infant mortality rate in Massachusetts and in Boston. Kelly notes that there is a wide discrepancy between the infant mortality rates in the white and African American communities. Kelly reports that two out of three infant deaths in Boston are African American infants. Kelly interviews David Mulligan (Commissioner of Public Health) and Howard Spivak (Deputy Commissioner of Public Health) about the rising infant mortality rate. Kelly reports that the state of Massachusetts has implemented prenatal care programs for all pregnant women. Kelly interviews Judith Kurland (Commissioner, Boston Health and Hospitals) about the prenatal care programs. Kurland says that the programs do not reach the women who are most in need of them. Kurland says that an increase in poverty has resulted in an increase of the infant mortality rates. Kelly reviews statistics concerning teenage pregnancy in the state. Kelly notes that teenage pregnancy is becoming increasingly common. Kelly's report is accompanied by footage of infants in a hospital nursery and footage of a doctor examining a baby.

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Primary Source

Media Format:

Text/HTML, Video

Conditions of Use:

Custom License
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