A Mother’s Zip Code Could Signal Whether Her Baby Will Be Born Too Early
“Researchers say that birth outcomes are not just a barometer of a mother’s health, but the health of the community, and also a predictor of its next generations’ health. In many places, adverse birth outcomes can be traced to a history of segregation and economic inequality. Fresno County’s rates of preterm birth (identified as babies born before 37 weeks in gestation) have ranked among the highest in the state. However, these rates vary widely by location and race within the county. In one southwest zip code where black and Hispanic people make up 70 percent of the population, the preterm birth rate is 12 percent. Just 12 miles north of that zip code, the population is 66 percent white and just over 15 percent black and Hispanic. There, the rate is under seven percent.”