Geographic Hotspots for Low Birthweight: An Analysis of Counties With Persistently High Rates.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated persistency in county-level rates of low birthweight outcomes to identify "hotspot counties" and their associated area-level characteristics. Administrative data from the National Center for Health Statistics Birth Data Files, years 2011 to 2016 were used to calculate annual county-level rates of low birthweight. Counties ranking in the worst quintile (Q5) for ≥3 years with a neighboring county in the worst quintile were identified as hotspot counties. Multivariate logistic regression was used to associate county-level characteristics with hotspot designation. Adverse birth outcomes were persistent in poor performing counties, with 52% of counties in Q5 for low birthweight in 2011 remaining in Q5 in 2016. The rate of low birthweight among low birthweight hotspot counti

SUBMITTER: Brown CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7550956 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature