The Nation - News from May 6, 1985

The United States will not reach its goal of reducing the mortality rate of black babies and increasing prenatal care by 1990 if current trends continue, a study showed. The new federal study, which was done at the request of Congress and is the first state-by-state report issued by the Administration, said also that there has been an increase in the mortality rate of babies past the newborn stage, the New York Times reported. The report said that, without a change in current trends, the United States would not reach its goal for 1990 of reducing the mortality rate of black babies, increasing prenatal care and reducing the proportion of babies with low birth weights.