Disparities in maternal outcomes among four ethnic populations.

Abstract

African Americans had the worst outcomes when adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. Infection, gestational diabetes, and control of hypertension, especially among African Americans, are the most significant preventable risk factors contributing to disparities. By increasing access to health services, health education, and appropriate perinatal care in minority populations, improvements are likely to occur across multiple measures including frequencies of preterm labor, cesarean section, and gestational diabetes.