Ecological Analysis of Low Birth Weight in New York City: The Role of Residential211 Segregation. Abstract, Executive Summary and Dissertation

摘要

This study is an attempt to better understand the role of structural and211u001eecological factors on infant health for Black and White women in New York City 211u001e(excluding Staten Island). This study examines the impact of residential 211u001esegregation on neighborhood economic indicators, neighborhood quality, access to 211u001ehealth care, and individual perinatal risk factors and subsequent birthweight 211u001eamong 138, 761 Black and White women who gave birth in 1991 or 1992. Using a 211u001econceptual framework combining two theoretical perspectives on the role of 211u001ediscrimination and segregation in birth outcomes, a multi-level dataset was 211u001econstructed that included individual, neighborhood and borough level variables. 211u001eThe databases used for this study were the vital statistics birth records for 211u001eNYC, 1990 U.S. Census data, and United Hospital Fund NYC Community Health Atlas 211u001edatabase.