Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117220

Melanie M. Peterson-Hickey, PhD¹, Cheryl L. Fogarty, RN, MPH², and David Stroud, MBA¹. (1) Center for Health Statistics, Minnesota Department of Health, 85 E. 7th Place, St. Paul, MN 55164, 651-215-8989, melanie.peterson-hickey@state.mn.us, (2) Maternal Child Health, Minnesota Department of Health, Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164

This session describes differing rates of infant mortality in Medicaid and non-Medicaid populations in Minnesota and associations with sociodemographic and pregnancy related factors. A secondary data analysis was conducted on vital statistics data linked with enrollment data from the Department of Human Services from calendar year 1998 through 2001. Birth and death records contain demographic data such as race/ethnicity, mother's age, birthweight, prematurity, and infant death. Minnesota Health Care Plan data includes data such as race/ethnicity and some pregnancy risk factors. Birth records were matched with Medicaid eligibility files provided by the Department of Human Services in an iterative linking process. Comparisons in birth outcomes, causes of death and various maternal characteristics between populations were made to identify any differences. Results indicate that the Medicaid population overall had a higher rate of infant mortality than the non-Medicaid populations (7.4 vs. 5.2/1000 respectively). Race-specific infant mortality rates showed substantial variation. Infant mortality rates for Whites enrolled in Medicaid were higher than their non-Medicaid counterparts (6.4 vs 4.7). Within Medicaid, Whites had lower rates of infant mortality rates compared to all other racial categories. Medicaid recipients also had higher rates of infant mortality due to SIDS and external causes, whereas non-Medicaid recipients had higher rates of infant mortality due to congenital anomalies and perinatal conditions. Differences between populations may prove useful to prenatal care education efforts for specific population groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will identify componenets of iterative linking approach for data match projects,identify differences in demographics and birth outcomes for Medicaid and non-Medicaid populations, and discuss possible causes for differences among these populations.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.