Racial/ethnic disparities in obstetric outcomes and care: prevalence and determinants.
Wide disparities in obstetric outcomes exist between women of different race/ethnicities. The prevalence of preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, fetal demise, maternal mortality, and inadequate receipt of prenatal care all vary by maternal race/ethnicity. These disparities have their roots in maternal health behaviors, genetics, the physical and social environments, and access to and quality of health care. Elimination of the health inequities because of sociocultural differences or access to or quality of health care will require a multidisciplinary approach. We aim to describe these obstetric disparities, with an eye toward potential etiologies, thereby improving our ability to target appropriate solutions.
Bryant
Allison S
AS
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0132, USA. bryanta@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Worjoloh
Ayaba
A
Caughey
Aaron B
AB
Washington
A Eugene
AE
D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000208:ethnology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000208:ethnology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology