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Journal article
The impact of state safety net policies on perinatal birth outcomes by maternal race
Social science & medicine (1982), v 388, 118719
Jan 2026
PMID: 41175825
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective
To examine the association between state safety-net policy robustness and rates of low birthweight and preterm births (2007–2018).
Methods
We created a state safety-net policy robustness index incorporating policies related to administrative burden, benefits, and eligibility for seven programs that provide health insurance, food, shelter, and cash assistance. Using quasi-Poisson regression models (state and year fixed effects, time-varying confounders), we assessed the association between policy robustness and low birthweight and preterm birth rates and examined differential associations by race/ethnicity via stratified models.
Results
Our sample consisted of 2922 state-year-race observations for preterm births and 2017 observations for low birthweight births. Our stratified findings suggest that more robust safety-net policies (e.g., more benefits, greater eligibility, and less administrative burden) are associated with declines in low birthweight and preterm birth among historically marginalized and racialized groups, including infants born to Asian and Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic birthing people.
Conclusions
The combination of state safety-net programs may imply important roles in reducing the prevalence of low birthweight and preterm birth.
Metrics
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Details
- Title
- The impact of state safety net policies on perinatal birth outcomes by maternal race
- Creators
- Alexandra Eastus (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityAlina Schnake-Mahl - Drexel UniversityM.Pia Chaparro - University of WashingtonFelice Lê-Scherban - Drexel UniversityGabriel L. Schwartz - Drexel UniversityCaroline Kravitz - Drexel UniversityBrent A. Langellier - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Social science & medicine (1982), v 388, 118719
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health (NIH): R01MD015107
Research reported in this article was supported by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Award No. R01MD015107) . The NIH played no role in the collection, analysis, interpretation or presentation of data. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001611021000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105022186791
- Other Identifier
- 991022124363804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Biomedical