Preterm Birth Rates and the Determinants of Health

Abstract

Preterm births present significant increased medical risks for children born. The medical community has largely focused on identifying individual factors that increase preterm birth risk for mothers, yet additional research is needed to identify systemic factors that increase preterm birth rates in certain geographic areas. Systemic analysis comparing geographic areas in Minnesota is critical because the preterm birth rates of Minnesotan counties differ. Some counties have a singleton preterm birth rate of over 10% while other counties have a preterm birth rate under 5%. This paper is based on a review of research literature and my own empirical analysis on preterm birth rates across counties in Minnesota. Both the correlates of county level preterm birth rates in Minnesota and potential interventions are identified. Correlates related to higher county level preterm birth rates include racial and ethnic disparities, particularly between American Indian mothers and other maternal demographic groups, maternal smoking, and high abortion rates in counties. High abortion rates potentially indicate high levels of unplanned pregnancies. Interventions may include greater representation of Black and American Indian women in the medical field, and increased trust and transparency between medical practitioners and patients to improve the efficacy and consistency of healthcare. Smoking cessation interventions implemented on the environmental and individual levels, comprehensive sexual education, and the implementation of policies supportive to motherhood to decrease stress and increase the feasibility of parenting also hold critical importance.