title: Chronic diseases and related risk factors among low-income mothers.
abstract: The aim is to describe the burden of chronic disease and related risk factors among low-income women of reproductive age. We analyzed population-based data from the 2005-2006 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 14,990 women with a live birth in 7 states. We examined the prevalence of selected chronic diseases and related risk factors (preexisting diabetes, gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, smoking or binge drinking prior to pregnancy, smoking or excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and postpartum depressive symptoms) by Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (≤100% FPL; 101-250% FPL; >250% FPL). Approximately one-third of women were low-income (≤100% FPL), one-third were near-low-income (101-250% FPL), and one-third were higher-income (>250% FPL). Compared to higher-income women, low-income women were significantly more likely to smoke before or during pregnancy (34.2% vs. 14.4%, and 24.8% vs. 5.4%, respectively), be obese (22.2% vs. 16.0%), experience postpartum depressive symptoms (23.3% vs. 7.9%), have 3 or more chronic diseases and/or related risk factors (28.1% vs. 14.4%) and be uninsured before pregnancy (48.9% vs. 4.8%). Low-income women of reproductive age experienced a higher prevalence of selected chronic diseases and related risk factors. Enhancing services for these women in publicly-funded family planning clinics may help reduce disparities in pregnancy and long-term health outcomes in the poor.
authors.affiliation: Applied Sciences Branch, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease & Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. jbombard@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bombard
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galavotti
authors.forename: Lucinda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: Van T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Donald K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morrow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult