Related Experiment Videos

The use of missing birth record data as a marker for adverse reproductive outcomes: a geocoded analysis of birth

Adrienne J Headley1, Mark C Fulcomer, Matthew M Bastardi

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ, USA.

Journal of the National Medical Association
|August 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Missing birth record data impacts understanding adverse reproductive outcomes (AROs) and infant health disparities. Geocoding strategies may help identify socioeconomic factors linked to AROs in at-risk communities.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Public Health Data Quality
  • Health Disparities Research

Background:

  • Adverse reproductive outcomes (AROs) disproportionately affect Black American infants, contributing to U.S. infant mortality.
  • Inaccurate birth record data quality, particularly missing data for AROs, hinders efforts to address infant mortality and health disparities.
  • Existing racial disparities in birth record reporting suggest a need for innovative data analysis strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze missing birth record data extent in New Jersey areas with high preterm birth rates.
  • To evaluate associations between missing birth record data and other AROs.
  • To explore geocoding applications for understanding maternal socioeconomic status (SES) risk factors and ARO resource allocation.

Main Methods:

  • Geocoding techniques using ZIP codes, census tracts, and block-groups to infer socioeconomic status (SES).
  • Analysis of birth record data to quantify missing information for AROs, focusing on preterm birth.
  • Statistical evaluation of relationships between data completeness and ARO prevalence.

Main Results:

  • Significant extent of missing birth record data identified in high-rate preterm birth areas.
  • Associations observed between missing data and other adverse reproductive outcomes.
  • Geocoding approaches show potential for linking SES indicators to AROs despite data gaps.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing missing birth record data is crucial for accurate ARO surveillance and reducing infant health disparities.
  • Geocoding strategies offer a promising avenue for inferring SES-related risks and guiding resource allocation for vulnerable populations.
  • Further research is needed to refine geocoding methods and improve birth data completeness.

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Pedigree Analysis01:35

Pedigree Analysis

Overview
Pedigree Analysis01:35

Pedigree Analysis

Overview
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Data Collection by Observations01:08

Data Collection by Observations

Data collection refers to a systematic way of obtaining, observing, measuring, and analyzing accurate information. Observational studies are one of the most widely used methods of data collection. It involves collecting data by observing the behavior and physical characteristics of a sample without making any modifications to the sample.
An astronomer viewing the motion and brightness of stars in the sky and recording the data is an example of observational data collection. A botanist recording...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...