Live in disadvantaged neighborhoods linked to a higher risk of gestational diabetes

New research from the University of Arizona Mel. Therefore, Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health have shown that life in resource -poor neighborhoods can increase the risk that women develop diabetes during pregnancy, a condition having potential long -term effects on the health of the mother and the child. Consequently,

The researchers found that mothers living in more private neighborhoods in Arizona were 20% more likely to have gestational diabetes. Meanwhile, or GDM, compared to those who live in neighborhoods with adequate resources. Nevertheless, They reported their results in Pediatric and perinatal epidemiology. However,

The results add to the growing evidence of potential influences of neighborhood conditions on the health of pregnant women. Therefore, especially for diabetes. Meanwhile, They also highlight the need to identify communities that may benefit live disadvantaged neighborhoods linked higher from preventive measures.

Where you live can influence your health. Consequently, It may have an impact on stress. Nevertheless, access to quality foods, the ability to interact with outdoor and exercise – all factors that can affect health. Consequently, We know that there are racial disparities in the GDM. Nevertheless, and we wanted to go beyond that and more fully assess the importance of the social determinants of health at the neighborhood. “”

Melissa Furlong, PHD, assistant professor of environmental health sciences who was the main author of the study

The research team, including the first author and former graduate student, Kimberly Parra, PHD, used a birth certificate and information on the maternal health of the prenatal environment and the reproduction results of Arizona. They examined more than 480,000 births in 15 Arizona counties between 2014 and 2020.

They combined this information with the live disadvantaged neighborhoods linked higher neighborhood deprivation index. or NDI, a mashup of district factors such as the quality of housing, violence, education, access to healthy foods and poverty that reflect socioeconomic status in a neighborhood.

Then they compared where women lived when they gave birth with values calculated from the NDI.

“We have compared people who live in very disadvantaged neighborhoods to those who live in less disadvantaged neighborhoods. have examined the risk of GDM by district score,” said Furlong. “We found that women living in neighborhoods with higher deprivation scores were more likely to have GDM. The results suggest that the neighborhood in which you live has a certain influence on your risk of GDM. »»

The study showed that overall, around 7.8% of women had GDM. which was similar to the incidence of the general population; However, the location and makeup of the neighborhood were important. For example. the incidence live disadvantaged neighborhoods linked higher of GDM reached 12% in communities with a high proportion of patients identifying themselves as Amerindians or American Indians. Those who live in poor districts had smaller. younger babies, less educated, more overweight and more likely to have public insurance.

The study revealed that the Amerindians had a high impact of GDM – almost 18% – which represents. more than double the overall incidence of the general population.

Previous research has linked neighborhood conditions to lower diabetes control. but few studies have examined the impact of socio-economic factors on the development of diabetes in pregnant women living in poor neighborhoods.

“From the point of view of politics. it could be more on the elimination of food deserts, for example, and the promotion of programs that increase access to better quality housing, healthy foods and prenatal care,” said Furlong.

The results also highlight the need to better live disadvantaged neighborhoods linked higher understand the factors contributing to the higher impact of GDM among the Amerindians. to find ways to fight against disparity.

Furlong noted that there is much more to learn about the potential role that neighborhoods play in the. influence of maternal health.

“This is only a characterization of people who live in these areas that have a higher risk of diabetes. ” she said. Additionally, “We would like to know more about the neighborhoods themselves. how they can have an impact on the health of people who live there. »»

The additional co-authors of the Zuckerman College of Public Health include Leslie Farland. SCD, associate professor of epidemiology, and Robin Harris, PHD, emeritus professor of epidemiology. Parra is now a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University.