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Penn State-led Research Highlights Unique Stressors Impacting Pregnancy Outcomes
A groundbreaking study led by researchers from Penn State has unveiled a significant correlation between living in predominantly white neighborhoods, experiencing racial discrimination, and heightened systemic inflammation during pregnancy among Black women. Published in the February issue of the journal Brain, Behavior, & Immunity — Health, the findings shed light on the complex interplay of social-environmental factors and their impact on pregnancy outcomes.
Christopher Engeland, Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State and senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding these distinctive stressors in addressing the persistent disparities in pregnancy outcomes among Black women. Despite advances in medical knowledge, the preterm birth rate remains disproportionately high among Black women, underscoring the urgency of identifying contributing factors beyond conventional risk factors like socioeconomic status.
Preterm birth, defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy, poses significant health risks for infants, including mortality and long-term health complications. Engeland highlighted the role of inflammation in the onset of preterm labor, with systemic inflammation during pregnancy emerging as a potential marker for elevated risk.
The study, which involved a cohort of 545 Black women recruited from clinics in Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, examined the relationship between experiences of racial discrimination, perceived neighborhood racial composition, and cytokine levels during pregnancy. The researchers collected data at multiple time points throughout the participants’ pregnancies, utilizing surveys and blood samples to assess various factors influencing inflammation.
Notably, the study identified a strong association between higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and reports of racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and residing in predominantly white neighborhoods. MIF levels exhibited a stepwise increase as neighborhood racial composition shifted from predominantly Black to predominantly white areas, suggesting a dose-response relationship.
Molly Wright, lead author of the study and a graduate student at Penn State, underscored the significance of these findings in understanding the unique stressors faced by Black women during pregnancy. The study’s comprehensive approach offers valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of systemic inflammation and its potential implications for preterm birth risk.
The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and inform targeted interventions aimed at mitigating disparities in pregnancy outcomes among Black women. By considering neighborhood context, racial discrimination, and other chronic stressors, healthcare professionals can develop more effective strategies to support maternal health and well-being.
The study was supported by funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, underscoring the importance of addressing health disparities among marginalized populations.
Other authors involved in the study include Carmen Giurgescu from the University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Dawn P. Misra from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and Jaime C. Slaughter-Acey from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health.
