Hispanic Infant Mortality in the United States: A Multi-dimensional Approach to the Examination of Infant Mortality Rates through Biological and Social Analysis

Abstract

In recent years the Hispanic population in the United States has experienced significant growth due to immigration from Latin America as well as a growing number of US born, Hispanic/Latino citizens. While these populations are subject to a variety of socioeconomic obstacles and social stressors that have been shown to negatively impact health outcomes of other minority populations, there has been a lack of attention and research dedicated to emerging health concerns presented by the Hispanic population. This paper examines Hispanic/Latino Infant Mortality Rates in the US through the context and review of biological and social factors, with the purpose of developing an understanding of the relationship between the social and physical environments of Hispanic/Latino populations in the US and how they potentially affect health outcomes.