Racial Disparities in Preterm Birth

In the United States, there is a pronounced and persistent race/ethnic disparity in the rate of preterm birth. Even after decades of basic science research and public health initiatives this disparity remains relatively unchanged. Factors that underpin this disparity are elusive and likely, at least...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in perinatology 2011-08, Vol.35 (4), p.234-239
Main Authors: Culhane, Jennifer F., PhD, MPH, Goldenberg, Robert L., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
Female
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
nativity
Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine
preconception
Pregnancy
Premature Birth - epidemiology
Premature Birth - ethnology
preterm birth
Public Health - methods
racial disparity
racism
Risk Factors
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:In the United States, there is a pronounced and persistent race/ethnic disparity in the rate of preterm birth. Even after decades of basic science research and public health initiatives this disparity remains relatively unchanged. Factors that underpin this disparity are elusive and likely, at least in part, derived from complex mechanisms originating from social inequities. In this article several promising areas of research are explored. Specifically, social context or neighborhood-level exposures, maternal nativity, infection/inflammation, and preconception health differentials are discussed in the context of increasing risk of preterm birth among race/ethnic minorities.
ISSN:0146-0005
1558-075X
DOI:10.1053/j.semperi.2011.02.020