Infant mortality and early deaths of ______among poor people and minorities are much more than that of the rich people.

Health statistics show a higher rate of infant mortality and early deaths in adults among poor people and minorities as compared to rich people. Harvard University researchers wanted to see whether the difference has been constant. So they looked at death statistics and census data from 1960 to 2002. They found that in the early years, the difference between rich people and poor people lessened. But between 1980 and 2002, disparities increased. The findings are in the online journal PLoS Medicine. The researchers say the changing pattern isn’t easily explainable. It’s not likely to be the economy, HIV AIDS, smoking or better diagnostic tests. They suggest the emphasis on civil rights in the 1960s and 70s may have helped minorities get better access to health care.