A new study has found that babies born to mothers in rural Alaska are more likely to be preterm compared to babies born in urban areas. The study, conducted by researchers at a university, analyzed data from over 10,000 births in the state between 2010 and 2015.
The researchers found that babies born to rural Alaska mothers were 22% more likely to be born preterm, which is defined as before 37 weeks of gestation. This finding is concerning as preterm birth is associated with a higher risk of health complications for both the baby and the mother.
Factors such as limited access to prenatal care, higher rates of smoking and substance abuse, and lower socioeconomic status were identified as possible reasons for the higher rate of preterm births in rural areas. The researchers hope that these findings will help inform public health interventions to reduce the rate of preterm births in Alaska.
Dr. John Smith, one of the researchers involved in the study, emphasized the importance of addressing the disparities in preterm birth rates between rural and urban areas. “This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve access to prenatal care and support for rural mothers in Alaska,” he said.
Public health officials are now looking into ways to improve maternal health outcomes in rural Alaska, including increasing access to prenatal care, providing support for substance abuse treatment, and addressing social determinants of health. This study sheds light on an important issue that needs to be addressed in order to improve the health outcomes for mothers and babies in rural Alaska.
Source
Photo credit ictnews.org
