Mass incarceration and public health: the association between black jail incarceration and adverse birth outcomes among black women in Louisiana

Abstract Background A growing body of evidence is beginning to highlight how mass incarceration shapes inequalities in population health. Non-Hispanic blacks are disproportionately affected by incarceration and criminal law enforcement, an enduring legacy of a racially-biased criminal justice system with broad health implications for black families and communities. Louisiana has consistently maintained one of the highest rates of black incarceration in the nation. Concurrently, large racial disparities in population health persist. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of all births among non-Hispanic black women in Louisiana in 2014 to identify associations between parish-level (county equivalent) prevalence of jail incarceration within the black population and adverse birth outcomes (N = 23,954). We fit a log-Poisson model with generalized estimating equations to approximate the relative risk of preterm birth and low birth weight associated with an interquartile range increase in incarceration, controlling for confounders. In sensitivity analyses, we additionally adjusted for the parish-level index crime prevalence and analyzed regression models wherein white incarceration was used to predict the risk of adverse birth outcomes in order to quantify the degree to which mass incarceration may harm health above and beyond living in a high crime area. Results There was a significant 3% higher risk of preterm birth among black women associated with an interquartile range increase in the parish-level incarceration prevalence of black individuals, independent of other factors. Adjusting for the prevalence of index crimes did not substantively change the results of the models. Conclusion Due to the positive significant associations between the prevalence of black individuals incarcerated in Louisiana jails and estimated risk of preterm birth, mass incarceration may be an underlying cause of the persistent inequities in reproductive health outcomes experienced by black women in Louisiana. Not only are there economic and social impacts stemming from mass incarceration, but there may also be implications for population health and health inequities, including the persistence of racial disparities in preterm birth and low birth weight.

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Association of US state policy orientation with adverse birth outcomes: a longitudinal analysis

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2020-214858 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jech-2020-214858

Author(s):

Alicia R Riley ◽

Daniel Collin ◽

Jacob M Grumbach ◽

Jacqueline M Torres ◽

Rita Hamad

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

State Policy ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

State Policies ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Policy Orientation

BackgroundThe current US context is marked by extreme right–left partisanship, which means that state policies tend to bundle together and are not experienced in isolation. While prior work has leveraged abrupt shifts in single policies to examine the effects of state policy on birth outcomes, we examined a holistic measure that captures political polarisation.MethodsData were drawn from national birth certificates for 2003–2017 (N=56 770 470). Outcomes included preterm birth, low birth weight, small-for-gestational age and other perinatal health measures. The primary exposure was a composite index of right–left state policy orientation, generated from historical data on 135 state policies. Multivariable regressions were used to estimate the association between state policy orientation and each outcome, adjusting for relevant covariates.ResultsCompared with infants born in states with right-leaning policy orientations, those born in left-leaning states had lower odds of adverse birth outcomes (eg, low birth weight: OR 0.95 (0.93, 0.97), preterm birth: OR 0.94 (0.92, 0.95)). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger associations for US-born and White mothers. With the inclusion of state fixed effects, left-leaning policy orientation was no longer associated with lower odds of adverse birth outcomes. Models were otherwise robust to alternative specifications.ConclusionWhile left-leaning state policy orientation has protective associations with a range of birth outcomes, the associations may be explained by stable characteristics of states, at least during the study period. Future studies should examine state policy orientation in association with other health outcomes and study periods.

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Atrazine Contamination of Drinking Water and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Community Water Systems with Elevated Atrazine in Ohio, 2006–2008

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15091889 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 1889 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Kirsten Almberg ◽

Mary Turyk ◽

Rachael Jones ◽

Kristin Rankin ◽

Sally Freels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Water Systems ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

The U.S

Atrazine, a common water contaminant in the U.S., has been associated with adverse birth outcomes in previous studies. This study aimed to determine if atrazine concentrations in drinking water are associated with adverse birth outcomes including small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (term LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), preterm birth (PTB), and very preterm birth (VPTB). This study included 14,445 live singleton births from Ohio communities served by 22 water systems enrolled in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Atrazine Monitoring Program between 2006 and 2008. Mean gestational and trimester-specific atrazine concentrations were calculated. Significantly increased odds of term LBW birth was associated with atrazine exposure over the entire gestational period (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10, 1.45), as well as the first (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.34) and second trimesters (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07, 1.20) of pregnancy. We observed no evidence of an association between atrazine exposure via drinking water and SGA, VLBW, PTB, or VPTB. Our results suggest that atrazine exposure is associated with reduced birth weight among term infants and that exposure to atrazine in drinking water in early and mid-pregnancy may be most critical for its toxic effects on the fetus.

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Association Between Preconception Care and Birth Outcomes

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117118779808 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 363-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zinat Jourabchi ◽

Sazlina Sharif ◽

Munn Sann Lye ◽

Asefzadeh Saeed ◽

Geok Lin Khor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Preconception Care ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Neonatal Complications

Purpose: To evaluate the association between preconception care and the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Design: A quasi-experimental study comparing 2 groups: (1) integrated maternal health care (MHC) program (with preconception care) and (2) standard MHC program (without preconception care). Setting: Maternal health-care clinics in Alvand and Qazvin cities in Qazvin Province, Iran. Participants: A total of 152 and 247 Iranian women aged 16 to 35 years were enrolled in the integrated MHC and standard MHC program, respectively. Measures: The birth outcomes measured included low birth weight, preterm birth, maternal and neonatal complications, and mode of delivery (normal vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery). Analysis: Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the impact of preconception care and risk of adverse birth outcomes with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) as effect sizes. Results: One hundred forty-seven women in integrated MHC and 218 women in standard MHC completed this study. Preconception care was associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (OR = 0.298; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.120-0.743; P = .009), low birth weight (OR = 0.406; 95% CI = 0.169-0.971; P = .043), maternal complication (OR = 0.399; 95% CI = 0.241-0.663; P < .001), and neonatal complications (OR = 0.460; 95% CI = 0.275-0.771; P = .003). Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed advantages of preconception care with reduced adverse birth outcomes.

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Maternal exposure to airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes

European Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s10654-021-00793-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ane Bungum Kofoed ◽

Laura Deen ◽

Karin Sørig Hougaard ◽

Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen ◽

Harald William Meyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Sex Ratio ◽

Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Maternal Exposure ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Secondary Sex Ratio

AbstractHuman health effects of airborne lower-chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (LC-PCBs) are largely unexplored. Since PCBs may cross the placenta, maternal exposure could potentially have negative consequences for fetal development. We aimed to determine if exposure to airborne PCB during pregnancy was associated with adverse birth outcomes. In this cohort study, exposed women had lived in PCB contaminated apartments at least one year during the 3.6 years before conception or the entire first trimester of pregnancy. The women and their children were followed for birth outcomes in Danish health registers. Logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) for changes in secondary sex ratio, preterm birth, major congenital malformations, cryptorchidism, and being born small for gestational age. We performed linear regression to estimate difference in birth weight among children of exposed and unexposed mothers. All models were adjusted for maternal age, educational level, ethnicity, and calendar time. We identified 885 exposed pregnancies and 3327 unexposed pregnancies. Relative to unexposed women, exposed women had OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.82, 1.15) for secondary sex ratio, OR 1.13 (95% CI 0.76, 1.67) for preterm birth, OR 1.28 (95% CI 0.81, 2.01) for having a child with major malformations, OR 1.73 (95% CI 1.01, 2.95) for cryptorchidism and OR 1.23 (95% CI 0.88, 1.72) for giving birth to a child born small for gestational age. The difference in birth weight for children of exposed compared to unexposed women was − 32 g (95% CI—79, 14). We observed an increased risk of cryptorchidism among boys after maternal airborne LC-PCB exposure, but due to the proxy measure of exposure, inability to perform dose–response analyses, and the lack of comparable literature, larger cohort studies with direct measures of exposure are needed to investigate the safety of airborne LC-PCB exposure during pregnancy

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Regional Birth Outcomes after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in Miyagi Prefecture

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x18000183 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 215-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Junichi Sugawara ◽

Noriyuki Iwama ◽

Tetsuro Hoshiai ◽

Hideki Tokunaga ◽

Hidekazu Nishigori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Risk Analysis ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Birth Rate ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Miyagi Prefecture ◽

Preterm Birth Rate ◽

Regional Risk Analysis

AbstractObjectivesThis study was aimed to analyze post-disaster birth outcomes in coastal and inland regions of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.MethodsPrimary data sets were compiled from birth records of obstetric facilities and 12,808 patients were analyzed for baseline birth outcomes by region. Regional risk analysis of the low-birth-weight rate and premature birth rate were conducted using multi-level logistic regression analysis.ResultsFrom overall baseline birth outcomes, a preterm birth rate was 4.6% and low-birth-weight rate was 8.8%. Regional analysis revealed that a preterm birth rate was 3.2% (coastal) and 5.0% (inland), respectively, and the rate of low birth weight was 6.5% in the coastal and 8.5% in the inland region. In the risk analysis of low-birth-weight rate and preterm birth rate, the risk in the coastal region could not be considered any higher than in the inland region (adjusted odds ratio 0.91 [0.73-1.14] and 0.85 [0.46-1.59], respectively).ConclusionsThe incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight were not adversely affected by the disaster. Early transfer and intensive medical intervention may have led to those findings. Further survey will be necessary to determine the long-term effects in both mothers and children.SugawaraJ, IwamaN, HoshiaiT, TokunagaH, NishigoriH, MetokiH, OkamuraK, YaegashiN. Regional birth outcomes after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in Miyagi Prefecture. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):215–219.

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Paternal age and the risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery: a Finnish register-based study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2017-210170 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (12) ◽

pp. 1104-1109 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alice Goisis ◽

Hanna Remes ◽

Kieron Barclay ◽

Pekka Martikainen ◽

Mikko Myrskylä

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Delivery ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Conclusive Evidence ◽

Paternal Age ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Maternal Characteristics ◽

Parental Characteristics ◽

Increased Risk

BackgroundBased on existing studies, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether and why paternal age matters for birth outcomes.MethodsWe used Finnish population registers on 106 652 children born 1987–2000. We first document the unadjusted association between paternal age and the risk of low birth weight (LBW; <2500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation). Second, we investigate whether the unadjusted association is attenuated on adjustment for child’s, maternal and parental socioeconomic characteristics. Third, by adopting a within-family design which involves comparing children born to the same father at different ages, we additionally adjust for unobserved parental characteristics shared between siblings.ResultsThe unadjusted results show that being born to a father aged 40+, as opposed to a father aged 30–34, is associated with an increased risk of LBW of 0.96% (95% CI 0.5% to 1.3%) and to a younger father (<25) with a 1% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.3%) increased risk. The increased risk at younger paternal ages is halved on adjustment for the child’s characteristics and fully attenuated on adjustment for child/parental characteristics. The increased risk at paternal ages 40+ is partially attenuated on adjustment for maternal characteristics (β=0.62%; 95% CI 0.13% to 1.1%). Adjustment for unobserved parental characteristics shared by siblings further attenuates the 40+ coefficient (β=0.4%; 95% CI −0.5% to −1.2%). Results for preterm delivery are similar.ConclusionsThe results underscore the importance of considering paternal age as a potential risk factor for adverse birth outcomes and of expanding research on its role and the mechanisms linking it to birth outcomes.

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Dengue during pregnancy and live birth outcomes: a cohort of linked data from Brazil

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e023529 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Enny S Paixão ◽

Oona M Campbell ◽

Maria Gloria Teixeira ◽

Maria CN Costa ◽

Katie Harron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Live Birth ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Severe Dengue ◽

Maternal Risk ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivesDengue is the most common viral mosquito-borne disease, and women of reproductive age who live in or travel to endemic areas are at risk. Little is known about the effects of dengue during pregnancy on birth outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of maternal dengue severity on live birth outcomes.Design and settingWe conducted a population-based cohort study using routinely collected Brazilian data from 2006 to 2012.ParticipatingWe linked birth registration records and dengue registration records to identify women with and without dengue during pregnancy. Using multinomial logistic regression and Firth method, we estimated risk and ORs for preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation), low birth weight (<2500 g) and small for gestational age (<10thcentile). We also investigated the effect of time between the onset of the disease and each outcome.ResultsWe included 16 738 000 live births. Dengue haemorrhagic fever was associated with preterm birth (OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.3 to 4.4) and low birth weight (OR=2.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0), but there was no evidence of effect for small for gestational age (OR=2.1; 95% CI 0.4 to 12.2). The magnitude of the effects was higher in the acute disease period.ConclusionThis study showed an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes in women with severe dengue during pregnancy. Medical intervention to mitigate maternal risk during severe acute dengue episodes may improve outcomes for infants born to exposed mothers.

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Paternal Involvement and Fetal Morbidity Outcomes in HIV/AIDS

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988313498890 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 6-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amina P. Alio ◽

Alfred K. Mbah ◽

Krupa Shah ◽

Euna M. August ◽

Sharon Dejoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Paternal Involvement ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Absent Fathers ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers

Prior research indicates that infants with absent fathers are vulnerable to unfavorable fetal birth outcomes. HIV is a recognized risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. However, the influence of paternal involvement on fetal morbidity outcomes in women with HIV remains poorly understood. Using linked hospital discharge data and vital statistics records for the state of Florida (1998-2007), the authors assessed the association between paternal involvement and fetal growth outcomes (i.e., low birth weight [LBW], very low birth weight [VLBW], preterm birth [PTB], very preterm birth [VPTB], and small for gestational age [SGA]) among HIV-positive mothers ( N = 4,719). Propensity score matching was used to match cases (absent fathers) to controls (fathers involved). Conditional logistic regression was employed to generate adjusted odds ratios (OR). Mothers of infants with absent fathers were more likely to be Black, younger (<35 years old), and unmarried with at least a high school education ( p < .01). They were also more likely to have a history of drug ( p < .01) and alcohol ( p = .02) abuse. These differences disappeared after propensity score matching. Infants of HIV-positive mothers with absent paternal involvement during pregnancy had elevated risks for adverse fetal outcomes (LBW: OR = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.60; VLBW: OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.05-2.82; PTB: OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.13-1.69; VPTB: OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.13-2.90). Absence of fathers increases the likelihood of adverse fetal morbidity outcomes in women with HIV infection. These findings underscore the importance of paternal involvement during pregnancy, especially as an important component of programs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

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Geospatial analysis of exposure to violent crime during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: Evidence from São Paulo’s Western Region Birth Cohort

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33991/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Angelica Carreira dos Santos ◽

Alexandra Brentani ◽

Günther Fink

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Violent Crime ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Western Region ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Violent Crimes

Abstract Background Low birth weight and prematurity remain leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity globally. Although an extensive literature has highlighted the importance of socioenvironmental characteristics for birth outcomes, the role of indirect violence on health remains fairly understudied. Methods Using geocoded birth records from the ongoing Western Region Birth Cohort ( Região Oeste Coorte – ROC-Cohort) of infants born between 2012-2014 and geocoded crime reports, we assessed the associations between exposure to violent crimes during pregnancy within a 1-km radius of mother’s residence and low birth weight, preterm delivery, and being born small-for-gestational-age. Violent crime exposure was categorized into quintiles. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between violence exposure and birth outcomes. Models were adjusted for sex, maternal age and education, socioeconomic status, and risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and drinking during pregnancy. ResultsAmong the 5,268 infants included, the average crime exposure during the first two trimesters of pregnancy ranged from 0.44 violent crimes in the least exposed quintile to 12.74 crimes in the most exposed. Compared to children with the lowest violence exposure, children in the highest exposure quintile were at higher odds of being born small-for-gestational-age (1.41[1.06-1.89]), preterm (1.35[1.01-1.80]), and low birth weight (1.42[1.03-1.98]). While socioeconomic status and maternal education were positively associated with lower violence exposure, no associations were found between these characteristics and the birth outcomes. Conclusions Higher exposure to external violent crimes in the close vicinity are associated with substantial increases in the odds of adverse birth outcomes. Policies to improve neighborhood safety can contribute not only to the short-term well-being of populations but may also have large social, economic, and health benefits in the long run.

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Pregnancy-associated cancers and birth outcomes in children: a Danish and Swedish population-based register study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022946 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e022946 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Natalie C Momen ◽

Linn Håkonsen Arendt ◽

Andreas Ernst ◽

Jørn Olsen ◽

Jiong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Caesarean Section ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Apgar Score ◽

Population Based ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes

ObjectivesThis study aims to estimate the association between pregnancy-associated maternal cancers, diagnosed both prenatally and postnatally, and birth outcomes.DesignPopulation-based register study.SettingNational registers of Denmark and Sweden.ParticipantsA total of 5 523 365 children born in Denmark (1977–2008) and Sweden (1973–2006).Primary and secondary outcome measures: gestational age, birth weight, size for gestational age, Apgar score, caesarean section and sex were the outcomes of interest. ORs and relative risk ratios (RRR) with 95% CIs were estimated using logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression, respectively.ResultsIn this study, 2% of children were born to mothers with a diagnosis of cancer. Children whose mothers received a prenatal cancer diagnosis had higher risk of being born preterm (RRR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.64 to 1.90); low birth weight (RRR 1.84, 95% CI 1.69 to 2.01); low Apgar score (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.56); and by caesarean section (OR: 1.69, 95% CI 1.59 to 1.80). Associations moved towards the null for analyses using postnatal diagnoses, but preterm birth (RRR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.17) and low birth weight (RRR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.18) remained statistically significant, while risk of caesarean section became so (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98). Additionally, statistical significance was reached for large for gestational age (RRR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11), high birth weight (RRR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06) and caesarean section (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98).ConclusionsResults suggest an association between pregnancy-associated cancers and adverse birth outcomes in the offspring. While this is strongest for prenatally diagnosed cancers, some smaller associations exist for postnatally diagnosed cancers, indicating that cancer itself could affect fetal development, or that cancer and adverse birth outcomes share risk factors. Future studies on maternal cancer during pregnancy should consider including some postnatal years in their exposure window.

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