In Michigan, a baby born to a black mother is almost three times more likely to die before its first birthday than a baby born to a white mother. In this radio story, Arline Geronimus says that the marginalization of African American women, and the accompanying stress and high-effort coping inherent in this status, result in earlier development of health problems, especially hypertension, which lead to higher infant mortality rates. Geronimus suggests several ways to address this health disparity, including examining the effects of residential segregation.

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