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Review
. 2022 Jan;51(1):16-28.
doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2021.09.002. Epub 2021 Oct 6.

Integrative Review of Racial Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes Among Beneficiaries of the Military Health System

Stacey E Iobst, Angela Kornegay Phillips, Gwendolyn Foster, Joan Wasserman, Candy Wilson
Review

Integrative Review of Racial Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes Among Beneficiaries of the Military Health System

Stacey E Iobst et al. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the extent to which racial disparities exist in the perinatal outcomes of beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS).

Data sources: We searched the PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases.

Study selection: We selected articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals in which the authors examined race in relation to perinatal outcomes among beneficiaries of the MHS. Date of publication was unrestricted through March 2021.

Data extraction: Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. We extracted data about study design, purpose, sample, setting, and results. We also assigned quality appraisal ratings to each article.

Data synthesis: In most of the included articles, researchers observed differences in perinatal outcomes between Black and White women. Compared to White women, Black women had greater rates of cesarean birth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates. White women had greater rates of postpartum depression than Black women.

Conclusion: Racial disparities in very low birth weight newborns and preterm birth may be smaller in the MHS than in the general population of the United States. The overall rates of preterm birth, cesarean birth, and neonatal mortality were lower for beneficiaries of the MHS than in the general population of the United States.

Keywords: military health care; perinatal outcomes; racial disparities.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Towson University, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. Neither we nor our family members have a financial interest in any commercial product, service, or organization providing financial support for this research. References to non-federal entities or products do not constitute or imply a Department of Defense or Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences endorsement. This research protocol was reviewed and approved by the Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences institutional review board (IRB) in accordance with all applicable federal regulations. This work was prepared by military members of the US Government as part of their official duties and therefore is in the public domain and does not possess copyright protection (public domain information may be freely distributed and copied; however, as a courtesy it is requested that the Uniformed Services University and the author be given an appropriate acknowledgement).

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