Maternal mortality and infant mortality have both decreased but are still two times greater for the non-white populations

Just as public education has a special commitment to give each child the educational tools they need to become productive adults, Florida's public health system has a commitment to eliminate health disparities for children at greater risk of poor health outcomes. Poor health conditions are more prevalent among Hispanics, African-Americans, American Indians, migrant farm worker communities and individuals who have emigrated from another country.

Figure 7: Trends in Maternal Mortality Among White and Non-White Populations, 1970-2000 Source: Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report 2000 Note: For 1998 and prior years, maternal death are defined as occurring within a 42 day post-pregancy interval and are assigned to ICD-9: 630-676 codes. For 1999 and forward maternal deaths are assigned to IC-10: O00-O99 codes regardless of time interval.

Florida is the fourth state of choice for emigrating families, part of the east coast migrant farm worker harvesting journey, and the home of numerous recognized American Indian tribes including two tribes with reservations. Florida is a southern state committed to overcoming a history of economic and educational hardships for African-Americans. As with poverty, children are over-represented in non-white populations as compared with older groups. Over 35 percent of the non-white population in 2000 was children and youth less than 19 years of age. Child mortality and morbidity is a legacy for a poor future. Though Florida has made a great deal of progress; there is much still to accomplish.

Figure 8: White and Non-White Infant Mortality, 1970-2000 Source: Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report 2000, p. 49