A methodological note on the relationship between infant mortality and socioeconomic status with evidence from San Antonio, Texas

The authors criticize past studies for concluding that the relationship between socioeconomic status and infant mortality has declined in modern industrial societies to the degree that it is almost nonexistent. Such studies computed infant death rates utilizing small numbers of births and deaths, resulting in unreliable rates. In this study, social area analysis is employed in a fairly large city with vital data from the early 1970's. The findings indicate a rather strong relationship still exists between SES and infant mortality. Limitations of social area analysis are discussed, and suggestions for future research are given.