This volume investigates the statistical trends and demographic patterns of natality within the United States for the calendar year 1987. The publication, compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics, provides a comprehensive quantitative record of birth rates, maternal characteristics, and infant health indicators. It serves as a primary data repository for researchers, policymakers, and public health officials analyzing population dynamics during this specific period.

Experts and researchers utilize this volume as a foundational reference for historical demographic analysis and longitudinal public health studies. Readers frequently note the high density of tabular data and the necessity of understanding the specific reporting methodologies employed by the National Center for Health Statistics during the late 1980s.