Low birth weight is a leading predictor of neonatal death. Low birth-weight infants are also more likely than normal birth-weight infants to experience long-term developmental and neurological disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that maternal smoking is the cause of 20% to 30% of all low-weight births in the United States.

Among racial and ethnic groups in Monroe County, low birth weights were highest among African American babies, 15% in 2017. Despite a recent drop in rates of low birth weight among African American babies, rates among Hispanic and white babies were generally higher or unchanged in the second half of the decade. Between 2000 and 2017, the rate among Hispanic babies increased from 7% to 12% and remained steady among white babies at 6%.

None.