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Infant mortality among minorities

Description: Report on an alarming increase in the infant mortality rate in Boston. Review of the statistics noting that the infant mortality rate among African Americans is 2.5 times the infant mortality rate among whites and that the increase was most pronounced in the Roxbury neighborhood. Interview with Dr. Bailus Walker, the Commissioner of Public Health, who says that the increase in the infant mortality rate is the result of a cutback in social programs from 1982 to 1984. Mayor Ray Flynn talks about the effects of cutbacks in social programs. The state has put $15 million toward reducing the infant mortality rate. Marian Wright Edelman, the Director of the Children's Defense Fund, speaks at a press conference, saying that the US has one of the highest infant mortality rates of any industrialized nation. The video cuts to black for 45 seconds during this story, from 00:01:34 to 00:02:15, presumably for graphics that weren't added to this copy. Following the edited story is additional b-roll footage of health care workers, parents and children at the Codman Square Health Center.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of a doctor examining a non-white baby with a stethoscope. Hope Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate in Massachusetts is nine out of 1,000 infants; that 22 of every 1,000 African American babies die; that the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 2.5 times higher than the infant mortality rate for whites. V: Footage of three young African American children playing outside of a housing project. Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate is 15 out of 1,000 for babies born in Boston; that the mortality rate for non-white babies born in Boston is 23 out of 1,000. V: Shots of a white child standing near a park bench; of a doctor examining a pregnant African American woman. Kelly reports that infant mortality rates have increased from previous years. V: Shots of an African American infant girl being undressed before a medical examination. Kelly reports that the state-wide infant mortality rate was 8.9 deaths per 1,000 babies in 1984. V: Video cuts out. Black screen is visible. Kelly reports that that the state-wide infant mortality rate was 9.1 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly notes that the African American infant mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 babies in 1984; that the African American mortality rate was 22.1 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly adds that the increase was drastic in the city of Boston. Kelly notes that the African American infant mortality rate in Boston was 11.7 per 1,000 babies in 1984; that the African American infant mortality rate in Boston was 15.4 per 1,000 babies in 1985. Kelly notes that the increase in the infant mortality rate was pronounced in the Roxbury area; that the infant mortality rate in Roxbury rose from 16.5 per 1,000 in 1984 to 23.4 per 1,000 in 1985. Kelly adds that the infant mortality rate in North Dorchester doubled from 1984 to 1985. V: Video cuts back in. Footage of Dr. Bailus Walker (Commissioner of Public Health) saying that he is concerned but not surprised about the rise in the infant mortality rate. Walker says that the infant mortality rate is the result of cutbacks made in social programs from 1982 to 1984. Kelly says that Walker and Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) blame cutbacks by the federal government. V: Footage of Flynn saying that the rise in the infant mortality rate is attributable to dramatic cutbacks in nutrition programs, housing programs, and other social programs. Kelly says that the state put $15 million dollars toward an effort to reverse the increase in the infant mortality rate in 1985. V: Shots of the State House. Footage of Walker saying that it is too soon to see the results of the effort; that the data for 1986-1988 will show the results of the state effort. Shots of a Boston Globe front page article. The headline reads, "Hub infant deaths up 32%. Kelly says that Boston is home to some of the nation's most advanced medical centers. V: Shots of Boston City Hall; of signs for Boston Hospitals, including the New England Medical Center Hospital and Children's Hospital. Kelly reports that the Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood is very close to the Harvard Medical Complex and other hospitals. V: Shots of a child riding a go-cart outside of a housing project in Mission Hill; of a woman standing at the window of her aparment, holding an infant. Shots of African American children playing outside of the housing project. Kelly reports that the infant mortality rate in Mission Hill is 50 deaths per 1,000 births; that the infant mortality rate in Mission Hill is as high as the infant mortality rate in many third-world countries. Kelly reports that there are high infant mortality rates among African American communities across the nation. V: Footage of Marian Wright Edelman (Director, Children's Defense Fund) at a press conference. Wright Edelman says that an African American infant born in Washington D.C. is more likely to die than in infant born in Trinidad and Tobago; that the US and one other nation have the highest infant mortality rates among twenty industrialized nations surveyed. Footage of Walker saying that he will be concerned if this trend continues for three or more years; that a one-year "snapshot" does not yet indicate a trend.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/09/1987

Infant mortality rate in Dorchester

Description: Hope Kelly reports on the health care workers and patients at the Codman Square Health Center. Kelly notes that the health care workers at the Codman Square Health Center are not surprised at the rise in the infant mortality rate in Boston. She adds that many of the patients at the Center are immigrants and have no health insurance. Kelly interviews Bill Walczak (Codman Square Health Center), Dr. Tony Schlaff (head of the Codman Square Health Center), Dr. Graunke (pediatrician, Codman Square Health Center) and Cynthia Smith (head nurse, OBGYN practitioner, Codman Square Health Center). The four health care workers describe the challenges faced by poor women and children. Walczak says that many of the patients are in a perpetual state of crisis due to housing and transportation problems. Schlaff talks about the need for health education and pre-natal care for at-risk populations. Graunke talks about high rate of malnutrition in Codman Square. Smith talks about the rising rate of teen pregnancies. Kelly's report includes footage of health care workers and several patients at the center. Kelly's report also features footage of Dr. Graunke examining patients. Kelly notes that workers at the Center often treat children who have never received medical attention. This tape includes footage of Dr. Kenneth Edelin (Boston City Hospital), Juanita Wade (Boston School Committee), Charles Yancey (Boston City Council) and others at a press conference on Codman Square's high infant mortality rate. It also includes shots of newspaper articles about the rising infant mortality rate.
1:00:06: Visual: Shot of the church in Codman Square. Shot of the sign for the "Codman Square Health Center." Shot of a white female doctor examining an African American infant with a stethoscope. Footage of an African American health care worker asking a mother about her child's symptoms. The mother (Beverly) says that the child has vomiting and diarrhea. Hope Kelly reports that workers at the Codman Square Health Center were not suprised at the increase in the infant mortality rate in Boston. V: Footage of Bill Walczak (Codman Square Health Center) talking about an Hispanic woman who had come in to the health center looking for some emergency food. Walczak says that the woman and her thirteen children had been evicted from their home; that the woman and her children have no place to live because of the housing shortage. Footage of Dr. Tony Schlaff (Head of the Codman Square Health Center) talks about a pregnant woman who was due to give birth. Schlaff says that the woman had only visited the healthcare center twice during her pregnancy; that the woman did not know that smoking was harmful to the health of her fetus. Kelly reports the Codman Square Healthcare Center has 1,100 registered patients and 20,000 medical visits per year. Kelly talks about a woman from Barbados named Beverly, who has an infant daughter named Ashley and two sons ages 8 and 3. V: Shots of Beverly in the waiting room of the healthcare center. Kelly talks about a woman named Carmen and her son Ian. Kelly reports that Carmen receives aid from the AFDC and from a nutrition program. V: Shots of Dr. Graunke (pediatrician, Codman Square Health Center) examining Ian. Carmen looks on. Kelly reports that many women do not come in for their appointments at the healthcare center. V: Footage of Graunke saying that 30 to 40% of the appointments at the healthcare center are not kept. Footage of Walczak saying that the patients are always in a state of crisis due to housing problems and transportation problems; that the patients do not have the access to "the things that are taken for granted by middle-class Americans." Footage of an African American woman working behind the reception desk at the clinic. A mother and her child wait in front of the desk. Kelly reports that 50% of the patients at the Codman Square Health Center do not have medical insurance; that 20% of the patients have no telephone; that 40% of the patients are immigrants. V: Shot of an African American health care worker filling out paperwork; of Graunke examining Ian in an examination room; of vials being put into a metal container in an examination room; of medical equipment in an examination room. Kelly reports that the center frequently treats children who have never received medical care; that some children have never been immunized. Kelly reports that positive tests for tuberculosis and lead poisoning are common. V: Footage of Graunke saying that the malnutrition rate is six times greater in Codman Square than it is in the rest of Massachusetts. Shots of storefronts in Codman Square. Kelly reports that the closest grocery stores is two bus rides away from Codman Square; that smaller stores are expensive and sell a lot of junk food. V: Footage of Cynthia Smith (Head nurse, Codman Square Health Center) saying that she is seeing two or three new teenage pregnancies per week. Footage of Walczak saying that advances in medical technology have not helped eradicate infant mortality from poor neighborhoods. Kelly notes that the waiting room wall has a photo of Codman Square from 1935. V: Shots of an African American man and an African American boy sitting in the waiting room. Kelly notes that progress seems to have stopped in Codman Square. V: Shot of an African American health care worker.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/11/1987

Jesse Jackson in New Hampshire

Description: Sam Fleming reports that Jesse Jackson is campaigning in New Hampshire. Some consider Jackson to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, but many political observers doubt Jackson's chances of winning the nomination. Jackson addresses supporters at a campaign rally, including about his support for the gay and lesbian community. Interviews with enthusiastic Jackson supporters in New Hampshire. Jackson tells reporters that his race is not as important as his credentials. He addresses another rally on the need for national affordable health care. Interview with Joe Grandmaison the Chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, who says that it would not be wise to underestimate Jackson and his campaign. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Ray Flynn, Michael Dukakis, and Bruce Bolling discuss linkage between Chinatown development and Parcel 18 in Roxbury
1:00:54: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (Democratic candidate for US President) getting his picture taken in front of the fall foliage in New Hampshire. Jackson walks into a rustic building. Sam Fleming reports that Jackson is trying to secure voter support in New Hampshire; that Jackson is considered to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. V: Shots of Jackson shaking hands with New Hampshire voters. Shot of Jackson addressing the crowd. The crowd applauds. Fleming reports that many political observers doubt Jackson's chances of winning the nomination; that Jackson is not paying attention to the "conventional wisdom" of the political observers. V: Footage of Jackson addressing the crowd. Shots of members of the crowd. Jackson talks about speaking at last weekend's rally for gays and lesbians in Washingon D.C. Jackson says that the voices of gays and lesbians deserve to be heard. Fleming notes that Jackson is reaching out to the dispossesed. V: Footage of Jackson talking about his efforts to build a diverse coalition of supporters. Jackson says that his leadership will put the nation on a course for jobs, peace, and justice. The crowd applauds. Shots of individual audience members. Footage of an older white female voter saying that Jackson is "energizing"; of a white female voter saying that she hopes that Jackson has a chance at the nomination. Footage of an older white male voter saying that some critics are trying to create a negative image of Jackson; that Jackson is "electable." Footage of Jackson speaking to reporters. A reporter asks Jackson if an African American can win the Democratic nomination. Jackson says that the issue of his race should be left to "God"; that the issue of his credentials should be left up to the voters. Fleming notes that Jackson has been questioned about the state of his marriage. V: Footage of Jackson telling reporters that he will not speculate about rumors; that he is fighting to win the nomination. Fleming reports that Jackson opened his campaign office in Manchester, N.H. V: Footage of a crowd gathered in front of Jackson's campaign office. Shot of a white female voter holding a hand-made Jackson campaign sign. The crowd begins to chant, "We want Jesse." Jackson shakes hands with voters outside of the office. Shots of an older white man; of a young African American boy in the crowd. Jackson addresses the crowd. Jackson talks about the need for a national health care system. Jackson says that he will provide "bold leadership." Fleming notes that Jackson did well with white Democratic voters in New Hampshire in 1984. Fleming reports that one Jackson campaign supporter said that the Jackson campaign lacked an organized structure; that fundraising so far has been minimal. Fleming adds that some voters see Jackson as a candidate supported mainly by African Americans. V: Shots of Jackson addressing a crowd; of individual members of the crowd. Footage of Joe Grandmaison (Chairman, New Hampshire Democratic Party) saying that no one underestimates the strength of Jackson and his message. Footage of Jackson addressing the crowd about the need to save jobs, schools, farms, and the environment, and to "give peace a chance." The crowd chants along with Jackson and applauds for him. Shot of an elderly woman at the Jackson campaign rally.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/12/1987

Project Mattapan

Description: David Boeri reports on Project Mattapan, which is a community-based prenatal care program aimed at reducing the infant mortality rate in Boston. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate is very high in the city of Boston. He adds that the infant mortality rate in the African American community is 2.5 times the rate in the white community. Boeri interviews June Cooper (Community Health Associate) and John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) about the program. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a yearlong project funded by the Boston Foundation. Boeri notes that the program will provide outreach to poor and uneducated women in an effort to combat premature births and low-birth weights. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of women and health care workers at a health care center, by footage of infants at a hospital nursery, and by footage of children at an urban playground.
1:00:03: Visual; Shot of children playing at an urban playground. Shot of a woman standing at the window of an apartment, holding a baby. David Boeri reports that Boston is the medical capital of the world; that the infant mortality rate in some African American neighborhoods is as high as the infant mortality rate in third-world nations. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 2.5 times the infant mortality rate for white Americans. V: Shot of an urban landscape from the window of a health care clinic. Shot of an African-American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a white health care worker tending to an infant. The infant is hooked up to breathing equipment. Footage of June Cooper (Community Health Associate) being interviewed. Cooper says that people need to know that prenatal care is important. Cooper says that more prenatal care could result in a decrease of the infant mortality rate. Boeri reports that Cooper is one of the founders of Project Mattapan; that Project Mattapan has launched a community-based campaign against low birth weights and premature births. V: Shot of a poster which reads, "Give your baby a healthy start." Shot of a black and white photo of an infant in a medical brochure. Footage of John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) being interviewed. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan has the cooperation of eight agencies; that Project Mattapan deals with housing, mental health, education, and other issues along with health care. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan promotes stable families. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a year-long project; that the Boston Foundation has funded the $100,000 project. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan will help local health care centers to reach out to poor and uneducated women. Boeri notes that these women are in need because federal programs have been cut. V: Shots of a pregnant African American woman being examined; of an African American health care worker filling out a medical chart. Shot of a health care worker and a patient in a medical examination room. Footage of Cooper being interviewed. Cooper says that outreach efforts are nonexistent in many agencies. Cooper says that the project will attempt to provide outreach and services to women. Boeri reports that the founders of Project Mattapan believe that infant mortality and low-weight births can be prevented. V: Shot of a health care worker placing a teddy bear on top of an incubator containing an infant. Shot of an African American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a health care worker wheeling an incubator through the nursery of a health clinic.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/10/1987