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. 2002 Dec;92(12):1970-5.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.12.1970.

Racial differences in prenatal care use in the United States: are disparities decreasing?

Greg R Alexander  1 , Michael D Kogan, Sara Nabukera
Affiliations

Racial differences in prenatal care use in the United States: are disparities decreasing?

Greg R Alexander et al. Am J Public Health. 2002 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined trends and racial disparities (White, African American) in trimester of prenatal care initiation and adequacy of prenatal care utilization for US women and specific high-risk subgroups, e.g., unmarried, young, or less-educated mothers.

Methods: Data from 1981-1998 US natality files on singleton live births to US resident mothers were examined.

Results: Overall, early and adequate use of care improved for both racial groups, and racial disparities in prenatal care use have been markedly reduced, except for some young mothers.

Conclusions: While improvements are evident, it is doubtful that the Healthy People 2000 objective for prenatal care will soon be attained for African Americans or Whites. Further efforts are needed to understand influences on and to address barriers to prenatal care.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
—White–African American Ratios for Selected Prenatal Care Indices: Single Live Births to US Resident Women, 1981–1998 Note. R-GINDEX=Revised Graduated Index of Prenatal Care Utilization; APNCU=Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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