Final answer:
Historical accounts reveal that more than 50% of enslaved Black infants died before the age of one due to factors like severe underweight births, malnutrition, and abysmal living conditions, confirming the high mortality rates among enslaved children.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether it is true that more than 50 percent of enslaved children died before the age of five. The answer is anchored in the historical context of slavery, specifically relating to the health and mortality rates of enslaved African Americans. Health disparities among African Americans have origins traceable to the period of slavery, and this includes the infant and childhood mortality rates.
Enslaved individuals, including children, faced dire living conditions, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and overwork, which significantly increased the likelihood of infants not surviving past their early years. Specific evidence from historical accounts indicates that the Black infant and childhood mortality rate was substantially elevated compared to that of Whites, with various sources stating that more than 50% of Black infants died before the age of one. These high mortality rates were due to factors such as early weaning, horrid living conditions, and lack of nutrition. Moreover, there is significant evidence showing the broader impacts of slavery on health, both physical and psychological, as well as the overall life expectancy of enslaved individuals, which averaged around 21-22 years.