Childhood Death & Poverty: A Study of All Childhood Deaths in Maine, 1976 to 1980

All childhood deaths occurring from 1976-80 in Maine were investigated from medical examiners’ records (N=1737). Children participating in social welfare programs were categorized as the “low income” group & compared to children not participating in such programs. Children from low income families had an overall death rate of 3.1 times greater than the comparison group & were at higher risk for disease-related deaths(3.5:1), accidental deaths (2.6:1), homicidal deaths (5:1) but not for suicides.