Haslyn E. R. Hunte, MPH, MPIA, School of Public Health, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, 109 Observatory St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-883-3184, hhunte@umich.edu

From 1980-2000, the rate of low birth weight among Black infants was approximately two times that of White infants, in terms of very low birth weight, the Black infant rate was approximately 2.7 times the rate of White infants.1 To disentangle the factors that cause this racial disparity in infant birth weight, the study of the birth weight of biracial infants has emerged within Public Health.

Using national natality data, I present evidence of disparity in birth weight among Black women involved in Black/White intimate relationships compared Black women involved in Black/Black relationships. I will discuss racial discrimination as a factor that is a likely determinant of disparity in birth weight among black women. Using the Race and Ethnicity in 2001: Attitudes, Perceptions, and Experiences study I will also examine the differences in experiences of racial discrimination among Black women involved in interracial relationships compared to their counterparts.

The adjusted multivariate analysis of birth weight show that the odds of married Black mothers/Black fathers having a low birth weight infant is 1.273 (CI: 1.11-1.46) times that of Black mothers/White fathers; among the unmarried parings, the odds ratio is 1.197 (CI:1.026-1.396).

The experiences of racial discrimination analysis among Black women who were involved in racial homogenous and heterogeneous relationships shows that Black women who were involved in interracial relationships are more likely to experience racial and ethnic discrimination as compared to Black women who were not involved in interracial relationships, among all eight domains.

A discussion of these results is presented.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant/learner in this session will be able to

• Identify risk factors related to low birth weight.
• Describe the disparity in birth weight between the infants born to black parents as compared to infants born to Black mothers and White fathers.
• Discuss how being a part of an interracial relationship may be selective of perceived experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination.
• Recognize that racial classification such as “black” may be inadequate in studying outcomes that may be, in part, attributed to experiences, such as racial/ethnic discrimination.
• Articulate hypotheses developed that the race of the father may serve as a proxy for perceived racial/ethnic discrimination by black women.
• Identify eight domains used when studying racial/ethnic discrimination.

Keywords: African American, Low Birthweight

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.