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Article
Why African-American women are at greater risk for pregnancy-related death
Meyers Primary Care Institute Publications and Presentations
  • Margaret A. Harper, Baptist Medical Center
  • Elizabeth Dugan, University of Massachusetts Medical School
  • Mark A. Espeland, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Anibal Martinez-Borges, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  • Cynthia Mcquellon, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
UMMS Affiliation
Meyers Primary Care Institute; Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Publication Date
3-27-2007
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adult; African Americans; Comorbidity; Female; Health Behavior; *Health Status; Humans; *Maternal Mortality; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Care
Abstract

PURPOSE: Our study aim was to identify factors that may contribute to the racial disparity in pregnancy-related mortality.

METHODS: We examined differences in severity of disease, comorbidities, and receipt of care among 608 (304 African-American and 304 white) consecutive patients of non-Hispanic ethnicity with one of three pregnancy-related morbidities (pregnancy-related hypertension, puerperal infection, and hemorrhage) from hospitals selected at random from a statewide region.

RESULTS: African-American women had more severe hypertension, lower hemoglobin concentrations preceding hemorrhage, more antepartum hospital admissions, and a higher rate of obesity. The rate of surgical intervention for hemorrhage was lower among African-Americans, although the severity of hemorrhage did not differ between the two racial groups. More African-American women received eclampsia prophylaxis. After stratifying by severity of hypertension, we found that more African-Americans received antihypertensive therapy. The rate of enrollment for prenatal care was lower in the African-American group. Among women receiving prenatal care, African-American women enrolled significantly later in their pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS: We have identified racial differences in severity of disease, comorbidities, and care status among women with pregnancy-related complications that would place African-Americans at disadvantage to survive pregnancy. These differences are potentially modifiable.

DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.annepidem.2006.10.004
Source
Ann Epidemiol. 2007 Mar;17(3):180-5. Link to article on publisher's site
Comments

At the time of publication, Elizabeth Dugan was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMed
PubMed ID
17320785
Citation Information
Margaret A. Harper, Elizabeth Dugan, Mark A. Espeland, Anibal Martinez-Borges, et al.. "Why African-American women are at greater risk for pregnancy-related death" Vol. 17 Iss. 3 (2007) ISSN: 1047-2797 (Linking)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/elizabeth_dugan/20/