Mexicans make up the majority of the Latino population in many states, and national statistics may assume health characteristics of this subgroup apply to all Spanish-speaking Latinos residing in the United States. While Boston's Latino population includes a wide range of Latino subgroups, Mexicans do not make up a large portion of the Latino community. Comparing information on perinatal characteristics and outcomes among Latino ethnic subgroups demonstrates the considerable disparity in both risk factors and outcomes for Latino births.
Analyses: Standard perinatal outcomes and characteristics data were prepared for Boston resident births among Latinos in 1990-1997, broken down into Boston's six Latino subgroups (Puerto Rican, Dominican, Central American, South American, Mexican, and Other Hispanic/Latino). Chi square analyses were used to compare birth outcomes and characteristics among Latinos and non-Latinos and to compare birth outcomes and characteristics of Latino subgroups with one another.
Results: Chi-square analyses show significant associations between Latino subgroup and year of birth, maternal nativity (US/foreign born), neighborhood, low birthweight, gestational age/prematurity status, primary Cesarean section, anemia, STDs, adolescent births, marital status, education status, public/private prenatal care, month prenatal care began, adequacy of prenatal care, and smoking status during pregnancy. The analyses suggest that public health programs targeted towards serving the Latino population cannot assume that national characteristics of the Latino population necessarily apply to their specific communities. Individuals most familiar with the entire range of Latino cultures specific to their community should be involved in planning public health programs targeting Latinos.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, all participants should be able to do the following: 1) Learn that aggregating all Hispanic or Latino ethnicities or "race" into a single category has the potential to mask disparities in health outcomes and risk factors which occur in different cultural or ethnic subgroups. 2) Gain a better understanding of the variability in perinatal outcomes and characteristics among Latino subgroups in Boston
Keywords: Latino Health, Maternal and Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.