Research released this week says African American kids in Sacramento County are more likely to die from neglect and abuse, homicide, and conditions related to infant sleep and maternal health.
Sheila Boxley with the Child Abuse Prevention Center says some of these deaths can be prevented.
BOXLEY: "There are known measures that can make a difference, yet for the last 20 years, we have known and it has been reported that there has been a disproportionate child death rate for African American children. And it's absolutely time to engage all of the community, particularly the African American community, and really make that different."
LEE: "Some of these issues do relate to the communities in which these mothers are living. And often times they're less educated, and they have fewer resources for their health care, so I would say that yes, income is a factor."
County officials will hold a public meeting at St. Paul Baptist Church in Sacramento this evening about how to reduce the African American child mortality rate. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on May 7th.