Atlanta Daily World

Birth Rate Soars In Chicago Area

CHICAGO (ANP) Negro births in Chicago increased more than six times that of white during the period 1940-52, a study by the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago revealed last week.

According to the study, there was a 249 per cent increase for the years for Negroes as compared to only 40 per cent for whites during the same period.

A 68 per cent increase in the number of non-white (almost all Negro) women of child bearing age living in Chicago accounted for the increase. At the same time, there was a 6 per cent decrease in the number of white women in the same category. The age group was set at 15 to 44.

Despite the fact that Negroes constitute 20 per cent of the births in Cook county (all of Chicago is situated here) during 1951, the survey disclosed that maternity beds are virtually unavailable for Negroes in two of three hospitals.

Most of the Negro births-52 per cent-were delivered at County hospital during 1951. The hospital was so overcrowded that in several instances new mothers with inadequate knowledge of caring for themselves or for the babies were sent home "the evening of the first day after delivery if they were able to get out of bed." the study indicated.

Besides Cook county, Illinois Research, Provident, and Evanston Community hospitals handled some 82 per cent of Negro births during 1951. About one-third of the colored mothers who gave birth at the County hospital were able to pay for services at other hospitals, but were unable to obtain space because of their race.

The study recommended that more hospitals "remove intake limitations based on race" and admit Negro doctors to staff assignments.

Cooperating with the Welfare Council's research department in the study were the Chicago and state health departments. Indorsing the survey were the Chicago Medical Society and the Chicago Hospital Council.