Study examining non-Hispanic Black preterm birth rates by nativity, region, and country of origin raises new questions about impact of discrimination on reproductive health
Simmons University today announced the release of a new study co-authored by School of Social Work Associate Professor Joanna Almeida, with colleagues from Boston University School of Public Health, which examines preterm birth rates among non-Hispanic Black parents in Massachusetts.
The Maternal & Child Health Journal study authored by Candice Belanoff, Mayowa Oluwatosin Alade, and Almeida, “Preterm Birth Among US and Foreign‑Born Non‑Hispanic Black Birthing Parents in Massachusetts: Variation by Nativity, Region, and Country of Origin,” finds preterm birth rates are highest among US-born non-Hispanic Blacks (9.4%) and lowest among non-Hispanic Blacks from Sub-Saharan Africa (6.6%).
The research expands on previous studies by disaggregating preterm birth rates by nativity, region, and country of origin among Non-Hispanic Black birthing parents in Massachusetts – a state with a sizeable and heterogeneous population of foreign-born Non-Hispanic Blacks parents, including communities excluded from previous studies such as Brazilians. This new study finds that while overall foreign-born non-Hispanic Black parents have a lower risk of preterm birth than their U.S-born counterparts, Caribbean and Brazilian immigrants actually have preterm birth risks similar to those of U.S.-born non-Hispanic Black parents.
“This study provides new insight into how preterm birth rates vary by nativity, region and specific country of origin, and underscores the fact that failing to disaggregate data by nativity, region or country of origin masks variation and can underestimate inequities in adverse birth outcomes,” said Professor Almeida. “Non-Hispanic Black women have twice the risk of preterm birth than their White peers. This study shows that these patterns are more nuanced, and differ by nativity, region and country of origin. This disparity, which has persisted despite medical advances and increased access to prenatal care, is devastating for parents, children, and families, but can be prevented. Given these enduring disparities, future research should consider the influence of modifiable social factors – such as discrimination – on reproductive health and inequities in them.”
Focusing on the potential impact of discrimination on preterm birth among non-Hispanic Blacks is crucial given that the U.S. born children of immigrants report more discrimination than their foreign-born parents, and these offspring are a large and growing segment of the U.S. population.
“The timing and duration of discrimination over the lifecourse varies depending on a host of factors, such as nativity, region and country of origin,” added Professor Almeida. “It is vital that we examine the impact of discrimination more deliberately and systematically on maternal and child health so that we can better understand and mitigate inequities in preterm births among non-Hispanic Blacks.”
“This research provides new insight into the role that nativity, region, and country of origin play on non-Hispanic Black preterm birth rates,” said Dr. Val Leiter, Interim Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice at Simmons University. “I am confident that the findings here will inform future research areas, while also providing helpful insights as we seek to improve maternal healthcare resources for underrepresented populations in Massachusetts.”