Abstract
Many studies have shown that Aborigines have an above average obstetric risk, but the results are not clear as to whether this is a racial characteristic or attributable to social circumstances. The co-existence of sufficient numbers of unemployed and unskilled Caucasians and Aborigines living in similar social circumstances in a Western Queensland town enabled a valid evaluation of this problem. It was found that the incidence of obstetrical problems and resulting morbidity amongst Caucasians of low socio-economic standing and Aborigines were almost identical. As low socio-economic status seems to be more closely linked with antenatal, obstetrical and neonatal risk than race, it seems prudent to expand the present health projects catering for Aborigines to encompass all underprivileged people.

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