Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Preterm Birth Among American Indian and Alaska Native Women

Matern Child Health J. 2016 Jan;20(1):16-24. doi: 10.1007/s10995-015-1803-1.

Abstract

Objectives: Preterm birth disproportionately affects American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. This disparity in birth outcomes may stem from higher levels of exposure to psychosocial, sociodemographic, and medical risk factors.

Methods: This paper reviews relevant research related to preterm birth in American Indian and Alaska Native women.

Conclusions: This narrative review examines disparities in preterm birth rates between AI/AN and other American women, and addresses several maternal risk factors and barriers that contribute to elevated preterm birth rates among this racial minority group. Additionally, this paper focuses on recent evidence that geographical location can significantly impact preterm birth rates among AI/AN women. In particular, access to care among AI/AN women and differences between rural and urban areas are discussed.

Keywords: Alaska Native; American Indian; Preterm birth; Racial and ethnic disparities; Women’s health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alaska / epidemiology
  • Alaska / ethnology
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / standards
  • Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American / ethnology
  • Indians, North American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology*
  • Premature Birth / ethnology*
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data