A Study of Low Birth Weights and Preterm Delivery in the Gulf Coast States after the Hurricane Katrina Based on Dynamic Factor Analysis and Gene Expression Programming Modeling Approach

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the United States history. Literature states that, over the last five years, Hurricane Katrina has been linked to trends and changes in a variety of social and economic fabric ranging from crime rate and per capita income to impending public health issues such as infant mortality and teenage pregnancy rates across the Gulf Coast states. The purpose of this study is to determine common trends that have occurred in the Gulf Coast on a state level after Hurricane Katrina. Data was collected on Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas in years 2003-2006. Data was analyzed using multivariate time series analysis--dynamic factor analysis to assess the risk factors that contribute to low birth weight and preterm delivery for Black and White race groups, respectively. Also, the Gene Expression Programming modeling approach was used to predict the mean percents of low birth weight and preterm delivery for Black and White race groups, respectively. Additionally, the repeated measures ANOVA was performed in order to assess pre- and post- Katrina mean percent differences between the Gulf Coast states and other states for low birth weight and preterm delivery. Implication of the results for public health decision makers and future research will be discussed.