Myth:
Infant mortality is higher for Blacks because so many black adolescents are giving birth.
Fact:
Studies show that Black mothers lose their babies more frequently than white women regardless of age..

Myth:
Black infant mortality is high because too many black mothers are single.
Fact:
Studies of the relationship between marital status and low birth weight (an indicator of infant mortality) show that Black women had higher rates than whites regardless of their marital status.

Myth:
Black infant mortality is high because too many black mothers are uneducated.
Fact:
Studies have shown as large a disparity between Black and white women among those with college education as among less-educated women. Studies of socioeconomic status and race show that while white women tend to have improved infant mortality rates when socioeconomic status improves, Black women do not.

Myth:
It's genetic. Black infant mortality is high because of genetic differences between blacks and whites.
Fact:
Studies have shown lower incidences of infant mortality among foreign-born black women, compared to US-born Black women, suggesting a non-genetic cause.

Myth:
Black infant mortality is high because too many black mothers do not receive adequate prenatal care.
Fact:
Studies show that prenatal care offers some limited improvement in Black infant mortality rates. To be effective, studies suggest that prenatal care must also include activities to reduce those risks that are highly prevalent among Black women or unique to Black women.