Is the rate of prematurity different among different races?
Yes, although the reasons are not well understood. In Oklahoma, for the years 2004-2006, preterm birth rates were highest for African Americans (18.3%), followed by Native Americans (13.1%), Asians (13.1%) whites (12.7%) and Hispanics (11.7%). (1) These differences may be due to many different things: genetic conditions passed on to the baby , the mother’s health behaviors, living environment, social circumstances, and/or access to and quality of health care. Some researchers believe the increased risk is related to higher levels of stress hormones caused by life stressors. These constant high levels of stress hormones may lead to preterm labor. Other research shows preterm birth may be related to a different type of response to inflammation in some women. Women of different races may be more likely to suffer from constant stress or may have different types of responses to stress or inflammation. More research is currently being done to get a better understanding of why certain groups
