Preterm birth in the African-American community.

Preterm births account for a substantial portion of infant mortality, the major difference in mortality between African-American and white births in the United States, and the key reason that US infant mortality exceeds that of other developed nations. Although preterm birth rates are higher in the African-American community for certain known reasons (proportionately more unwanted conceptions, poorer nutrition, less sufficient prenatal care, and stress-associated behavioral risks), most of the excess risk for preterm delivery remains unexplained. Because preterm delivery is poorly understood in general, prevention strategies are limited. Future research directions should explore contextual and social conditions that might be altered to reduce preterm births in the African-American community.