Javier M Rodriguez1, John Bound2, Arline T Geronimus3. 1. Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Department of Economics and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 2. Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Department of Economics and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USAPopulation Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Department of Economics and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 3. Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Department of Economics and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USAPopulation Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Department of Economics and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA arline@umich.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infant mortality rates in the US exceed those in all other developed countries and in many less developed countries, suggesting political factors may contribute. METHODS: Annual time series on overall, White and Black infant mortality rates in the US were analysed over the 1965-2010 time period to ascertain whether infant mortality rates varied across presidential administrations. Data were de-trended using cubic splines and analysed using both graphical and time series regression methods. RESULTS: Across all nine presidential administrations, infant mortality rates were below trend when the President was a Democrat and above trend when the President was a Republican. This was true for overall, neonatal and postneonatal mortality. Regression estimates show that, relative to trend, Republican administrations were characterized by infant mortality rates that were, on average, 3% higher than Democratic administrations. In proportional terms, effect size is similar for US Whites and Blacks. US Black rates are more than twice as high as White, implying substantially larger absolute effects for Blacks. CONCLUSIONS: We found a robust, quantitatively important association between net of trend US infant mortality rates and the party affiliation of the president. There may be overlooked ways by which macro-dynamics of policy impact microdynamics of physiology, suggesting the political system is a component of the underlying mechanism generating health inequality in the USA. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association
BACKGROUND:Infant mortality rates in the US exceed those in all other developed countries and in many less developed countries, suggesting political factors may contribute. METHODS: Annual time series on overall, White and Black infant mortality rates in the US were analysed over the 1965-2010 time period to ascertain whether infant mortality rates varied across presidential administrations. Data were de-trended using cubic splines and analysed using both graphical and time series regression methods. RESULTS: Across all nine presidential administrations, infant mortality rates were below trend when the President was a Democrat and above trend when the President was a Republican. This was true for overall, neonatal and postneonatal mortality. Regression estimates show that, relative to trend, Republican administrations were characterized by infant mortality rates that were, on average, 3% higher than Democratic administrations. In proportional terms, effect size is similar for US Whites and Blacks. US Black rates are more than twice as high as White, implying substantially larger absolute effects for Blacks. CONCLUSIONS: We found a robust, quantitatively important association between net of trend US infant mortality rates and the party affiliation of the president. There may be overlooked ways by which macro-dynamics of policy impact microdynamics of physiology, suggesting the political system is a component of the underlying mechanism generating health inequality in the USA. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association
Authors: Olle Lundberg; Monica Aberg Yngwe; Maria Kölegård Stjärne; Jon Ivar Elstad; Tommy Ferrarini; Olli Kangas; Thor Norström; Joakim Palme; Johan Fritzell Journal: Lancet Date: 2008-11-08 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Javier M Rodriguez; Arun S Karlamangla; Tara L Gruenewald; Dana Miller-Martinez; Sharon S Merkin; Teresa E Seeman Journal: J Biosoc Sci Date: 2019-01-28