Self-Reported Experiences of Racial Discrimination and BlackWhite Differences in Preterm and Low-Birthweight Deliveries: The CARDIA Study
Sarah Mustillo, PhD,
Nancy Krieger, PhD,
Erica P. Gunderson, PhD,
Stephen Sidney, MD,
Heather McCreath, PhD and
Catarina I. Kiefe, MD, PhD
Sarah Mustillo is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC. Nancy Krieger is with the Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass. Erica P. Gunderson and Stephen Sidney are with the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, Calif. At the time of the study, Heather McCreath was with the Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Catarina I. Kiefe is with the Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Sarah Mustillo, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Box 3454, Durham, NC 27710 (e-mail:smustillo{at}psych.duhs.duke.edu).
Objectives. We examined the effects of self-reported experiencesof racial discrimination on BlackWhite differences inpreterm (less than 37 weeks gestation) and low-birthweight (lessthan 2500 g) deliveries.
Methods. Using logistic regression models, we analyzed dataon 352 births among women enrolled in the Coronary Artery RiskDevelopment in Young Adults Study.
Results. Among Black women, 50% of those with preterm deliveriesand 61% of those with low-birthweight infants reported havingexperienced racial discrimination in at least 3 situations;among White women, the corresponding percentages were 5% and0%. The unadjusted odds ratio for preterm delivery among Blackversus White women was 2.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.33,4.85), but this value decreased to 1.88 (95% CI=0.85, 4.12)after adjustment for experiences of racial discrimination andto 1.11 (95% CI=0.51, 2.41) after additional adjustment foralcohol and tobacco use, depression, education, and income.The corresponding odds ratios for low birthweight were 4.24(95% CI=1.31, 13.67), 2.11 (95% CI=0.75, 5.93), and 2.43 (95%CI=0.79, 7.42).
Conclusions. Self-reported experiences of racial discriminationwere associated with preterm and low-birthweight deliveries,and such experiences may contribute to BlackWhite disparitiesin perinatal outcomes.
This article has been cited by other articles:
H. E. R. Hunte and D. R. Williams The Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Obesity in a Population-Based Multiracial and Multiethnic Adult Sample
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2009;
99(7):
1285 - 1292.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
Y. Kelly, L. Panico, M. Bartley, M. Marmot, J. Nazroo, and A. Sacker Why does birthweight vary among ethnic groups in the UK? Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study
J. Public Health Med.,
March 1, 2009;
31(1):
131 - 137.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
J. R. Jones, D. C. Wilson, and P. Jones Toward Achieving the "Beloved Community" in the Workplace: Lessons for Applied Business Research and Practice From the Teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.
Business Society,
December 1, 2008;
47(4):
457 - 483.
[Abstract][PDF]
L. M. Crawley, D. K. Ahn, and M. A. Winkleby Perceived Medical Discrimination and Cancer Screening Behaviors of Racial and Ethnic Minority Adults
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.,
August 1, 2008;
17(8):
1937 - 1944.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
P. L. Hebert, J. E. Sisk, and E. A. Howell When Does A Difference Become A Disparity? Conceptualizing Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Health
Health Aff.,
March 1, 2008;
27(2):
374 - 382.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. Stringer Commentary by Stringer
West J Nurs Res,
November 1, 2007;
29(7):
884 - 886.
[PDF]
R. David and J. Collins Jr Disparities in Infant Mortality: What's Genetics Got to Do With It?
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2007;
97(7):
1191 - 1197.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
S. Noh, V. Kaspar, and K.A.S. Wickrama Overt and Subtle Racial Discrimination and Mental Health: Preliminary Findings for Korean Immigrants
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2007;
97(7):
1269 - 1274.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. H. Schempf, A. M. Branum, S. L. Lukacs, and K. C. Schoendorf The Contribution of Preterm Birth to the Black-White Infant Mortality Gap, 1990 and 2000
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2007;
97(7):
1255 - 1260.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. B. Dailey, S. V. Kasl, T. R. Holford, and B. A. Jones Perceived Racial Discrimination and Nonadherence to Screening Mammography Guidelines: Results from the Race Differences in the Screening Mammography Process Study
Am. J. Epidemiol.,
June 1, 2007;
165(11):
1287 - 1295.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
R. T. Carter Racism and Psychological and Emotional Injury: Recognizing and Assessing Race-Based Traumatic Stress
The Counseling Psychologist,
January 1, 2007;
35(1):
13 - 105.
[Abstract][PDF]
C. G. Colen, A. T. Geronimus, J. Bound, and S. A. James Maternal Upward Socioeconomic Mobility and Black-White Disparities in Infant Birthweight
Am J Public Health,
November 1, 2006;
96(11):
2032 - 2039.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. S Kramer, C. V Ananth, R. W Platt, and K. Joseph US Black vs White disparities in foetal growth: physiological or pathological?
Int. J. Epidemiol.,
October 1, 2006;
35(5):
1187 - 1195.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
Y. Paradies A systematic review of empirical research on self-reported racism and health
Int. J. Epidemiol.,
August 1, 2006;
35(4):
888 - 901.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
J. N. Nielsen, K. O O'Brien, F. R Witter, S.-C. Chang, J. Mancini, M. S. Nathanson, and L. E Caulfield High gestational weight gain does not improve birth weight in a cohort of African American adolescents
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
July 1, 2006;
84(1):
183 - 189.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. A. Thompson, D. C. Goodman, C.-H. Chang, and T. A. Stukel Regional Variation in Rates of Low Birth Weight
Pediatrics,
November 1, 2005;
116(5):
1114 - 1121.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
N. Krieger Embodiment: a conceptual glossary for epidemiology
J Epidemiol Community Health,
May 1, 2005;
59(5):
350 - 355.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
I. Pollard Bioscience-bioethics and life factors affecting reproduction with special reference to the Indigenous Australian population
Reproduction,
April 1, 2005;
129(4):
391 - 402.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]