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01-11-2012

Effectiveness of a Federal Healthy Start Program in Reducing the Impact of Particulate Air Pollutants on Feto-Infant Morbidity Outcomes

Authors: Hamisu M. Salihu, Euna M. August, Alfred K. Mbah, Amina P. Alio, Raymond de Cuba II, Foday M. Jaward, Estrellita Lo Berry

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 8/2012

Abstract

We sought to assess (1) the relationship between air particulate pollutants and feto-infant morbidity outcomes and (2) the impact of a Federal Healthy Start program on this relationship. This is a retrospective cohort study using de-identified hospital discharge information linked to vital records, and air pollution data from 2000 through 2007 for the zip codes served by the Central Hillsborough Federal Healthy Start Project in Tampa, Florida. Mathematical modeling was employed to compute minimal Euclidean distances to capture exposure to ambient air particulate matter. The outcomes of interest were low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), small for gestational age, preterm (PTB), and very preterm birth. We used odds ratios to approximate relative risks. A total of 12,356 live births were analyzed. Overall, women exposed to air particulate pollutants were at elevated risk for LBW (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.07–1.43), VLBW (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.09–2.29) and PTB (AOR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.03–1.34). Analysis by race/ethnicity revealed that the adverse effects of air particulate pollutants were most profound among black infants. Infants of women who received services provided by the Central Hillsborough Federal Healthy Start Project experienced improved feto-infant morbidity outcomes despite exposure to air particulate pollutants. Environmental air pollutants represent important risk factors for adverse birth outcomes, particularly among black women. Multi-level interventional approaches implemented by the Central Hillsborough Federal Healthy Start were found to be associated with reduced likelihood for feto-infant morbidities triggered by exposure to ambient air particulate pollutants.

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Title: Effectiveness of a Federal Healthy Start Program in Reducing the Impact of Particulate Air Pollutants on Feto-Infant Morbidity Outcomes
Authors: Hamisu M. Salihu
Euna M. August
Alfred K. Mbah
Amina P. Alio
Raymond de Cuba II
Foday M. Jaward
Estrellita Lo Berry
Publication date: 01-11-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 8/2012
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0854-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effectiveness of a Federal Healthy Start Program in Reducing the Impact of Particulate Air Pollutants on Feto-Infant Morbidity Outcomes

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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