Relates the origin and aims of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) begun in 1972. It has failed to improve the health of newborn children or lower the infant mortality rate, because these problems relate to behavior rather than lack of food. Prenatal care and medical intervention are more appropriate…

Provides critical commentary on Nicholas Eberstadt's assertion that low-weight births and infant mortality among blacks in Washington, DC, is mainly the result of high rates of illegitimacy and other parental behaviors. Nicholas Eberstadt's response is included. (GLR)

Examines infant mortality rates in the District of Columbia and explains the causes. Comparisons are made between infant deaths in the district and in the United States as a whole, infant mortality rate differences by socioeconomic class and between blacks versus whites, and the influence of low rates of prenatal care and illegitimacy. (GLR)

Demonstrates that conclusions drawn from statistics concerning racial disparities in income, infant mortality, sports participation, and other areas may be partly or wholly wrong, because disparities generally increase as conditions improve. Observes that flawed uses of statistics abound; points out some common errors in interpretation. (DM)

Conventional explanations attributing the high infant mortality rate in United States to the prevalence of poverty and lack of adequate health care do not tell the whole story. Contributions of parental behavior, lifestyles, and public health care availability versus utilization must be examined in determining public policies to address the…