239435 Assessing the impact of economic factors on Low Birth Weight after a natural disaster: A simulation model

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Nia Foderingham, MD , Department of Preventive and Occupational Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Chau-Kuang Chen, EDD , Institutional Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Aiping Yang, PhD , Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing University, BeiJing, China
Prashant Joseph, MD , School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Low birth weight (LBW) continues to exert a lasting impact on health outcomes within the United States. It is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and long term morbidity. Since the 1980's LBW has been on the rise and reached a peak of 12.8% in 2006 (NCHS, 2010). Previous studies have linked socioeconomic factors such as education, income, and race with birth outcomes. In any natural disaster there are often major disruptions in economic and health care delivery systems, along with infrastructure that lead to negative health outcomes. The purpose of this study is therefore to use the technique of simulation modeling to assess the effects of economic variables on LBW after Hurricane Katrina and during the subsequent recovery period. The data was collected between 2000-2007 from the four gulf coast states, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. The proposed model allows for the creation and simultaneous evaluation of multiple scenarios and variables by using the computer languages and software packages of C++, Mathlab, GeneXPro, Origin 8, and OpenGL. These findings linking birth outcome and economic variables are significant in their ability to help assess the impact of large disasters. Ultimately, this information may be used to help public officials and policy makers plan for the most efficient allocation of resources as they facilitate improved social and economic recovery.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To assess the impact of economic factors on low birth weight after a natural disaster To familiarize audiences with simulation model applicable to public health research.

Keywords: Simulation, Infant Mortality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a MSPH student who has taken Biostatistics I and II courses. This abstract is a joint effort between me and three other authors specializing in statistics and simulation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Statistics Poster Session
See more of: Statistics