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Chronic Diseases and Related Risk Factors among Low-Income Mothers

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Abstract

The aim is to describe the burden of chronic disease and related risk factors among low-income women of reproductive age. We analyzed population-based data from the 2005–2006 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 14,990 women with a live birth in 7 states. We examined the prevalence of selected chronic diseases and related risk factors (preexisting diabetes, gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity, smoking or binge drinking prior to pregnancy, smoking or excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and postpartum depressive symptoms) by Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (≤100% FPL; 101–250% FPL; >250% FPL). Approximately one-third of women were low-income (≤100% FPL), one-third were near-low-income (101–250% FPL), and one-third were higher-income (>250% FPL). Compared to higher-income women, low-income women were significantly more likely to smoke before or during pregnancy (34.2% vs. 14.4%, and 24.8% vs. 5.4%, respectively), be obese (22.2% vs. 16.0%), experience postpartum depressive symptoms (23.3% vs. 7.9%), have 3 or more chronic diseases and/or related risk factors (28.1% vs. 14.4%) and be uninsured before pregnancy (48.9% vs. 4.8%). Low-income women of reproductive age experienced a higher prevalence of selected chronic diseases and related risk factors. Enhancing services for these women in publicly-funded family planning clinics may help reduce disparities in pregnancy and long-term health outcomes in the poor.

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Notes

  1. Gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension are classically defined as conditions which are first diagnosed during pregnancy and which resolve after pregnancy. Women classified with these conditions may also have chronic forms of the condition, either due to lack of diagnosis prior to pregnancy or lack of resolution of the condition after pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Kim Burley for statistical programming consultation and state PRAMS coordinators (Marie Bailey, Florida; Brenda Coufal, Nebraska; Anne Radigan-Garcia, New York; Carrie Hornbeck, Ohio; Michael Smith, South Carolina; John Gauthier, Vermont; Linda Lohdefinck, Washington) for assisting with the collection of additional data as well as allowing use of their respective PRAMS data.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Correspondence to Jennifer M. Bombard.

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Bombard, J.M., Dietz, P.M., Galavotti, C. et al. Chronic Diseases and Related Risk Factors among Low-Income Mothers. Matern Child Health J 16, 60–71 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0717-1

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