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Albert M A. J Periodontol 2008; 79: 1121–1123

When compared to others, black people are associated with twice the prevalence of periodontal disease. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with body mass index, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, socioeconomic status, diabetes and smoking. However, when taking these into account, there are still unexplained differences in CRP between black women and those from other ethnic backgrounds. In addition, 'regardless of socioeconomic status (SES), black women in the United States have the highest infant mortality rates'. What then are the research priorities? Are 'elevated CRP levels...due to race/ethnicity, periodontal disease, pregnancy or other factors'? Does 'the combination of periodontal disease and pregnancy...influence mother and child health outcomes'? And finally, does the treatment of periodontal disease, result in more favourable outcomes for heart disease and other pregnancy-associated conditions?