The impact of state safety-net policies on perinatal birth outcomes by maternal race.

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 birth

SUBMITTER: Eastus A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12718674 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature