Funded Projects

Birth Outcomes and Early Health Trajectories

Grantee: San Diego State University
Principal Investigator: Brian Finch
Project Number: R40MC07837
Project Date: 1/1/2007

Final Report

Birth Outcomes and Early Health Trajectories Final Report (PDF)

Age group(s)

• Perinatal/Infancy (0-12 months)
• Toddlerhood (13-35 months)
• Early Childhood (3-5 years)

Abstract

Health disparities are known to emerge as early as infancy. Infants born to socially disadvantaged parents are at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes that affect not only an infant's chance of survival, but future health prospects. In fact, the effect of adverse birth outcomes is known to persist well into adulthood. Thus, not only might early disparities contribute to adult health disparities, but the double jeopardy of being born premature or small for gestational age and being born into adverse socio-economic conditions may lead to further health detriments. This study seeks to examine whether various dimensions of socio-economic status can alter the well established trajectories linking adverse birth outcomes to adverse child health. Using two nationally representative, longitudinal data sets with rich survey data and birth certificate data, we propose to investigate the interactions between distinct birth outcomes and socio-economic conditions in childhood (ages 1-6) and how they produce disparities in child health. In particular, we seek to answer the following general questions: 1) Do adverse birth outcomes overwhelm socio-economic predictors of child health and development or can an advantaged socio-economic status buffer some of the subsequent health effects of adverse birth outcomes? And 2) How much does the interaction between disadvantaged socio-economic status and adverse birth outcomes contribute to observed childhood health disparities?