title: Population changes, racial/ethnic disparities, and birth outcomes in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine how the demographic and other population changes affected birth and obstetric outcomes in Louisiana, and the effect of the hurricane on racial disparities in these outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vital statistics data were used to compare the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), preterm birth (PTB) (37 weeks' gestation), cesarean section, and inadequate prenatal care (as measured by the Kotelchuck index), in the 2 years after Katrina compared to the 2 years before, for the state as a whole, region 1 (the area around New Orleans), and Orleans Parish (New Orleans). Logistic models were used to adjust for covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment, rates of LBW rose for the state, but preterm birth did not. In region 1 and Orleans Parish, rates of LBW and PTB remained constant or fell. These patterns were all strongest in African American women. Rates of cesarean section and inadequate prenatal care rose. Racial disparities in birth outcomes remained constant or were reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although risk of LBW/PTB remained higher in African Americans, the storm does not appear to have exacerbated health disparities, nor did population shifts explain the changes in birth and obstetric outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112-2715, USA. Harville@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Emily W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Harville
authors.forename: Tri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buekens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult