American Indian/Alaska Native Birth and Maternal Health Outcomes in Louisiana: Investigating Regional Disparities

Abstract

Objectives: To report regional maternal and infant health characteristics in the Louisiana American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis using 2016-2019 Louisiana birth certificate data (N = 242,359; 3205 AIAN births). Prevalence of health characteristics and disparities from population averages were calculated. Health characteristics included low birth weight, preterm birth, very low birth weight, very preterm birth, high birth weight, NICU admission, breastfeeding at discharge, rurality, cesarean section, inadequate prenatal care, and maternal smoking.

Results: Low birth weight prevalence ranged from 5.7% in central Louisiana to 20.7% in northeast Louisiana. Most other infant outcomes followed a similar pattern. Disparities from regional averages also varied. AIAN infants had 8% higher risk of LBW than the northeast Louisiana average and 4% lower risk in central Louisiana. Maternal smoking was most prevalent in northern and western Louisiana. Across Louisiana, maternal smoking was as or more prevalent in mothers of AIAN infants compared to regional averages.

Conclusions for practice: There is substantial regional variability in maternal and infant health characteristics in Louisiana AIAN populations, motivating emphasis on locally focused epidemiology to better serve Indigenous communities.

Keywords: American Indian and Alaska Native; Epidemiology; Indigenous; Maternal and infant health; Perinatal.