Hispanic Pregnancy Outcomes: Differentials over Time and Current Risk Factor Effects

Parker Frisbie, University of Texas at Austin
Seung-Eun Song, University of Texas at Austin

Based on recent linked birth/infant death files for the U.S., we trace changes in pregnancy outcomes for five specific Hispanic populations in comparison with non-Hispanic whites (“Anglos)” from 1989-91 to 1995-97. Over this period, infant mortality rates declined, while rates of low birth weight and prematurity rose. In 1995-97, the lowest prematurity rates were found among Anglos, but rates of low birth weight and infant mortality were lowest among Mexican Americans and Central/South Americans, respectively. Logistic regression models, show that, net of controls, the odds of both low birth weight and prematurity were greater for every Hispanic group than for Anglos in 1995-97. However, the risk of infant mortality was either lower for every Hispanic group or statistically equivalent to the Anglo risk. When birth outcomes were included as controls, odds of infant mortality were lower for every Hispanic group and significantly lower for four out of the five.