Report Shows Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Rates Of Prenatal Care, Teen Births In New Mexico

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 07 Nov 2007 - 6:00 PST

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The New Mexico Department of Health on Monday released a report that found racial and ethnic health disparities in prenatal care, teenage birth rates and alcohol-related deaths, the AP/Las Cruces Sun-News reports. According to the report, the rate of women in the state who go without prenatal care or receive it late is higher than the national average. American Indians in the state are particularly likely to either receive late or no prenatal care, according to the report. In addition, the state's teen birth rate is 60% higher than the national rate; the alcohol-related death rate is 70% higher than the national rate; and more than 50% of whites and Hispanics in the state with diabetes do not receive needed care.

The Health Department attributed the disparities to lack of access to health care, as well as genetics, poverty, environmental conditions, occupations, language barriers, social and cultural factors, and discrimination (AP/Las Cruces Sun-News, 11/5).

The report is available online (.pdf).

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