This More or Less podcast episode investigates the misinterpretation of a study claiming black babies have a tripled chance of survival with white doctors. The interview with Harvard professor George Borjas reveals the original study failed to control for low birth weight, a crucial factor in infant mortality. Borjas's re-analysis showed that the higher mortality rate among black babies attended by white doctors was due to these high-risk infants being treated by more experienced (mostly white) doctors. The episode highlights the dangers of misinterpreting data and emphasizes the need to identify the actual root causes of racial disparities in infant mortality, such as the higher prevalence of low birth weight among Black American babies. This ultimately points to the need for further research into maternal care and socioeconomic factors.
