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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Maha Hag-Alshiekh, MD, MPH (Candid), School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 6515 Grange ln #404, Alexandria, VA 22315, 703-521-0422, haga0027@umn.edu, Pamela Jo Johnson, MPH, PhD, State Health Access Data Assistance Center, University of Minnesota, Health Services Research & Policy, 2221 University Ave SE, Suite 345, Minneapolis, MN 55414, and Elvira Beracochea, MD, MPH, MIDEGO, 4710 Olley Lane, Fairfax, VA 22032.

Objectives: Studies indicate that infants of foreign-born Black mothers fare better than those of African American mothers in the US. However, little is known about disparities between foreign-born races. We describe maternal characteristics, neighborhood context in which foreign-born mothers live, and birth outcomes by race and maternal national origin, emphasizing foreign-born Blacks.

Methods: We examine linked birth/infant death data for foreign-born mothers living in one metropolitan area between 1990 and 1999 (n = 42,394), linked with neighborhood data from the 1990 U.S. Census. Characteristics and birth outcomes are examined by race and national origin: Black Africans, Black others, Asians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites.

Results: Maternal characteristics differ significantly by race and national origin. Hispanics are most likely to be unmarried and have inadequate education, while Asians are most likely to have inadequate prenatal care. Non-Hispanic whites and Black Others are more likely to smoke. Black Africans, followed by Asians, are most likely to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Adverse birth outcomes are highest among Blacks (by race) and Africans (by origin). However, when classified by race and origin, Black Others have higher rates of low birth weight and infant mortality than Black Africans and substantially higher rates than all others.

Conclusion: Maternal characteristics, neighborhood context and adverse birth outcomes vary among foreign-born mothers in the US. Blacks, whether classified by race or national origin, have worse outcomes than other foreign-born groups. However, important differences between Blacks of different national origins are masked when classified by race alone.

Learning Objectives:

• 1 - Describe maternal characteristics and risk factors for adverse birth outcomes among foreign-born women by maternal race and national origin.
• 2 - Describe the neighborhood context in which foreign-born birth mothers live.
• 3 - Describe birth outcomes among infants born to foreign-born women with emphasis on disparities for infants born to foreign-born Black women.

Keywords: Birth Outcomes, Immigrants

Related Web page: www.apha.org/ppp/red/afrgenchar.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered