Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Loretta R. Cain

Abstract

Infant mortality in the United States is a great concern to families, communities, and professionals in the public health field. More concerning is the infant mortality racial disparity, prevalent throughout the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors of infant mortality disparity in Indian River County (IRC), Florida. Using socioecological theory as the theoretical framework, this study explored whether there is an association between infant mortality among Black infants and geographic location as well as measures of socioeconomic status (age, educational level, health insurance status, and marital status) associated with infant mortality among Black infants in IRC, from 2012 to 2016. This study used secondary data from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics; a total of 1,169 births to Black mothers in IRC from 2012-2016 was the sample for this study. Logistic regression and chi-square test of independence were performed. The findings revealed no association between infant mortality among Black infants in IRC, and geographic location, defined by zip codes; there was no association between measures of socioeconomic status, defined by age, education level, health insurance status, marital status, and infant mortality among Black infants in IRC. Conversely, there was a statistically significant association between measures of federal assistance status; Women Infants and Children (WIC) with infant mortality among Black infants in IRC (2, N = 43) = 6.98, p = .030). This study can contribute to positive social change by helping the public health professional community better understand and confront health disparities related to Black infant mortality in IRC.

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