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IntroductionKey FindingsHealth OutcomesSocial and Economic FactorsPhysical EnvironmentClinical CareAppendixMeasures TableMethodologyLimitationsReferencesData Source DescriptionsDemographic Group Definitions
2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief - State Profiles2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief - Measures Table2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief – Infographics2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief – Data Export
This brief analyzes 14 measures linked to maternal and infant health from publicly available data sources. Measures were chosen to reflect the America’s Health Rankings model and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
To provide sufficient data needed to calculate reliable estimates for different demographic groups at the state level, many measures pooled two to five years of data between 2008-2022 into two to three periods. Individual estimates were suppressed if they did not meet the reliability criteria required by the data source. Estimates were compared within demographic groups and over time to ascertain whether differences were statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval. Disparity ratios were calculated for estimates that were statistically different. Disparity ratios over 1.5 were reported in the brief. The highest disparity ratios by demographic group — race/ethnicity, educational attainment and household income — are reported in the State Profiles.
Throughout this brief and State Profiles, America’s Health Rankings has used language and demographic group definitions consistent with the underlying data sources to ensure accuracy.
Inclusive language in public health is vital for ensuring that all individuals feel seen, heard and understood. Inclusivity in data collection is essential to ensure that the disparities that subpopulations of people experience are documented, analyzed and addressed. However, this must be supported by equitable systems accurately representing diverse populations in data collection, analysis and interpretation. Inadequate representation of populations may hinder the identification of trends and patterns within different demographic groups and limit the ability to tailor public health interventions to specific populations.