Cited by 382Racial and Ethnic Identity ResearchMaternal and Neonatal HealthcareHealth disparities and outcomes

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Racial Discrimination and Adverse Birth Outcomes: An Integrative Review

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Alhusen, Jeanne L., Bower, Kelly M., Epstein, Elizabeth, Sharps, Phyllis·2016·Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health

DOI 10.1111/jmwh.12490PMC PMC5206968

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Abstract

Introduction: This article presents an integrative review of the literature examining the relationship between racial discrimination and adverse birth outcomes. Methods: Searches for research studies published from 2009 to 2015 were conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase. Articles were assessed for potential inclusion using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2009 framework. Results: Fifteen studies met criteria for review. The majority of the studies found a significant relationship between racial discrimination and low birth weight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age. Each of the studies that examined more proximal variables related to birth outcomes such as entry into prenatal care, employment opportunities, neighborhood characteristics, or inflammatory markers found significant associations between the specific variables examined and racial discrimination. Participants in qualitative studies discussed experiences of institutional racism with regard to several components of prenatal care including access and quality of care. Discussion: Racial discrimination is a significant risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. To best understand the mechanisms by which racial discrimination impacts birth outcomes, and to inform the development of effective interventions that eliminate its harmful effects on health, longitudinal research that incorporates comprehensive measures of racial discrimination is needed. Health care providers must fully acknowledge and address the psychosocial factors that impact health outcomes in minority racial/ethnic women.

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Authors: Alhusen, J. L., Bower, K. M., Epstein, E., & Sharps, P.
Affiliations: University of Virginia (US)
Corresponding author: Alhusen, Jeanne L.
ORCID: Alhusen, Jeanne L.
Bower, Kelly M.
Epstein, Elizabeth
Sharps, Phyllis
Venue: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2016-10-13
Volume: 61
Issue: 6
Pages: 707-720
ISSN: 1526-9523 (ISSN-L)
1542-2011
DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12490
PMC: PMC5206968
OpenAlex: W2531928418
Cited by: 382
References: 62
Citations by year: 2026: 28 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 4
FWCI: 4.30
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Journal of Midwifery & Women s Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Nursing Research (K23NR015810)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords: racial discrimination, adverse birth outcomes, low birth weight, preterm birth, small for gestational age, institutional racism, prenatal care access, minority women, psychosocial factors, neighborhood characteristics, employment opportunities, inflammatory markers
MeSH terms: Birth Weight, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Premature, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Care, Premature Birth, Healthcare Disparities, Racism

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Racial Discrimination and Adverse Birth Outcomes: An Integrative Review

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