Low birth weight among infants, by race/ethnicity, 1985-2002* (line graph): 2002: Non-Hispanic White, 6.9%; non-Hispanic Black, 13.4%; Hispanic, 6.5%; Asian/Pacific Islander, 7.8%; American Indian/Alaska Native, 7.2%. Rates of low birth weight have remained steady among Blacks and Hispanics, while they have increased slightly among all other racial/ethnic groups.

*1985-1988 data are based on the race of the child, while later data are based on the race of the mother.

Source: Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, Ventura SJ, Menacker F, Munson ML. Births: Final Data for 2002. National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 52, No. 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.