Background: Eliminating disparities in infant mortality is a goal of many black infant mortality reduction efforts. Given the increasing number of research articles that focus on race and it’s effects on birth outcomes, comparisons between only black and white mothers may limit successful reduction efforts by restricting the focus of improving birth outcomes to only those factors identified as significant in black/white comparisons. A growing body of research has identified black foreign-born mothers, who are typically subjected to the same circumstances racism offers, with better birth outcomes than Black US-born mothers. While these two groups differ significantly on birth outcomes, the similarities in how they are perceived by others are shared. To identify potential answers to reduce black infant mortality, this research compares mother's characteristics and birth outcomes for black foreign-born, black US-born and white US-born mothers.
Method: New Jersey's Electronic Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Hospital Discharge and Medicaid Eligibility files for 1996 through 1999 were linked to create the file for analyses. The impact of demographic, prenatal care, reproductive history, behavioral and medical risk factors on infant mortality were examined using multivariate analyses.
Findings: Black foreign-born mothers were less likely to experience the loss of an infant than black US-born mothers. Multivariate analysis also confirmed lower rates of preterm and low birth weight infants. The proximity of black foreign-born mothers' birth outcomes to white US-born mothers' birth outcomes indicates a need to include this group as a source for potential answers to improving birth outcomes to black US-born mothers.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify a sub-group of black mothers with better birth outcomes. 2. Recognize the value of using Black Foreign-born mothers as a comparison group when identifying factors related to black infant mortality reduction. 3. Apply the information on newly identified risk and protective factors to the investigation of birth outcomes and development of black infant mortality reduction strategies.
Keywords: Birth Outcomes, Ethnic Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment