INTRODUCTION: The >healthy-migrant-effect,=suggest that migration has selected out healthier individuals. Few if any, published studies have examined the impact of this effect on pregnancy outcomes of non-Hispanic African American and white women. AIM: This study hypothesizes that U.S.-born women who migrate to a region or a state different from their state of birth are at lower risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to non migrant women. METHOD: The National Center for Health Statistics cohort linked birth/death 1995-1997 data files containing U.S. born non-Hispanic African American and non-Hispanic white women who delivered singleton live births in the southern region were used. Women were assigned to a migration group: non migrants, born in the south and delivered in the south; inter region migrants, born in the south and delivered in other southern state; southern region migrants, born in a non southern state and delivered in the south. The multiple logistic regression model was used to determine how and to what extent maternal migration status is related to the probability of adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Southern region migrants were found to have favorable sociodemographic characteristics and received adequate prenatal care compared to non migrants. Lower adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed among southern region migrants compared to non migrants. CONCLUSION: These study results support the premise that migration is a selective process for U.S.-born women that move to and within the U.S. southern region. Further research is needed to better understand the complexity of migration patterns and the selectivity process of U.S.-born populations.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to: characterize the migration status of U.S.-born mothers in the Southern region; summarize the effects of maternal migration on pregnancy outcomes; and discuss the need for further research in migration and the selectivity process of U.S. populations.
Keywords: Migrant Health, Pregnancy Outcomes
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