Impact of Violent Crime on Birth Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Lynne C Messer, Jay S Kaufman, Nancy Dole, Amy Herring, Barbara A Laraia
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina
Hypothesis
Proximal crime measures would be more predictive of adverse birth outcomes than area-level measures.
Conclusion
The study found that area-level violent crime is associated with increased odds of preterm birth and low birth weight, particularly among non-Hispanic black and white women.
Supporting Evidence
- Black women were exposed to four times as many violent crimes within a half-mile radius compared to white women.
- Living in neighborhoods with high violent crime rates was associated with increased odds of low birth weight.
- Proximal crime measures did not show a strong association with adverse birth outcomes.
Takeaway
Living near a lot of crime can make babies more likely to be born too early or too small, especially for some groups of women.
Methodology
The study used geocoded linked birth records, crime, and census data analyzed through multilevel models.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of crime exposure due to reliance on reported crime data.
Limitations
The study relied on administratively defined boundaries for neighborhoods, which may not accurately reflect actual neighborhood experiences.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on non-Hispanic black and white women in Raleigh, NC.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.0, 2.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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