Association of State Medicaid Expansion Status With Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth

Abstract

Quiz Ref ID Prematurity and low birth weight were estimated to contribute to 36% of infant mortality (in 2013)¹ and have been associated with increased risk of chronic conditions throughout infancy and into adulthood.^2-5 Rates of low birth weight (8.3% as of 2017) and prematurity (9.9%) are higher in the United States than most developed nations,^6-9 with non-Hispanic black infants 2.0 times as likely to be born at low birth weight (13.9% vs 7.0%) and 1.5 times as likely to be born prematurely (13.9% vs 9.1%) compared with non-Hispanic white infants.⁹ Hispanic infants have rates of low birth weight (7.4% as of 2017) and prematurity (9.6%) similar to white infants.⁹