Trends, 1997: HC 2.1 Healthy Births

HC 2.1

HEALTHY BIRTHS

A healthy birth is defined here as a birth with the following characteristics: a five-minute Apgar¹³ score of nine or more out of ten, weight at birth of at least 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds), a gestational age of at least 37 weeks, and maternal receipt of prenatal care within the first trimester.

Increasing Percentages of Healthy Births. Table HC 2.1 reports the percentage of all births qualifying as healthy births for 1985, 1991 and 1994, by race and ethnic group, and by the mother’s marital status and educational background. The table shows an increase in the percentage of all healthy births between 1985 and 1994, as well as increases for each population subgroup presented. The percent of all births qualifying as healthy increased from 59.1 percent to 65.9 percent during that period of time.

Continued Disparities Across Population Subgroups. While healthy births are increasing for all the subgroups presented in Table HC 2.1, there are also persistent disparities across subgroups. For example:

In 1994, 49.7 percent of births to black women were defined as healthy, compared to 55.4 percent of births to Hispanic women and 69.8 percent of births to white women.
In 1994, 73 percent of births to married women were healthy, compared to 50.6 percent of births to single women.
In 1994, 70.1 percent of births to mothers with at least a high school education were healthy, compared to 48.8 percent of births to mothers with less than a high school education (see Figure HC 2.1).

Figure HC 1.2
Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,a by Mother’s Education: 1994

Note: aHealthy birth is defined as follows: 5-minute Apgar score of 9+, birth weight 2,500+ grams, gestational age of 37+ weeks, prenatal care in the first trimester. Source: Special tabulation for 1994 birth data by Sally C. Clarke, National Center for Health Statistics.

Table HC 2.1
Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,^a by Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics: 1985, 1991, and 1994

1985 1991 1994

———— ———— ————

Total 59.1 61.1 65.9

Race/Ethnicity

White 62.7 65 69.8

Black 41.5 43.3 49.7

Hispanic 48.6 49.8 55.4

Mother’s Marital Status

Married 65 68.6 73

Single^b 37.9 43.1 50.6

Mother’s Education

High school or more 64 67.1 70.1

Less than high school 40 43.3 48.8

Notes: ^aHealthy birth is defined as follows: 5 - minute Apgar score of 9+, birth weight 2,500+ grams, gestational age of 37+ weeks, prenatal care in the first trimester.
^bSingle status includes mothers who have never been married, or are divorced or widowed.
Source: 1985 and 1991 data from: Morrison, D.R. (1994). "Healthy Birth Index". Final Report. Submitted to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Indicator Development Project, Child Trends, Inc., Washington, DC, 1994. Special tabulation for 1994 birth data by Sally C. Clarke, National Center for Health Statics.

¹³ The Apgar score is a numerical expression of the physical condition of an infant shortly after delivery. The infant is rated, 0, 1, or 2 on color, heart rate, reflex irritability, muscle tone and breathing. The maximum score is 10, and a score of 4 or less indicates examination and treatment are warranted. As defined in: Apgar, V., Holiday, D.A., James, L.S., Weisbrot, I.N., and C. Berrien. (1953). "Evaluation of the Newborn Infant-2nd Report." Current Research in Anesthesia and Analgesia, Vol. 32: 260-267.

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Table HC 2.1 Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,^a by Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics: 1985, 1991, and 1994

		1985	1991	1994
		————	————	————
Total		59.1	61.1	65.9
Race/Ethnicity
	White	62.7	65	69.8
	Black	41.5	43.3	49.7
	Hispanic	48.6	49.8	55.4
Mother’s Marital Status
	Married	65	68.6	73
	Single^b	37.9	43.1	50.6
Mother’s Education
	High school or more	64	67.1	70.1
	Less than high school	40	43.3	48.8

Notes: ^aHealthy birth is defined as follows: 5 - minute Apgar score of 9+, birth weight 2,500+ grams, gestational age of 37+ weeks, prenatal care in the first trimester. ^bSingle status includes mothers who have never been married, or are divorced or widowed. Source: 1985 and 1991 data from: Morrison, D.R. (1994). "Healthy Birth Index". Final Report. Submitted to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Indicator Development Project, Child Trends, Inc., Washington, DC, 1994. Special tabulation for 1994 birth data by Sally C. Clarke, National Center for Health Statics.

Figure HC 1.2 Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,a by Mother’s Education: 1994

Table HC 2.1 Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,a by Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics: 1985, 1991, and 1994

Figure HC 1.2
Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,a by Mother’s Education: 1994

Table HC 2.1
Percentage of All Births Defined as Healthy,^a by Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics: 1985, 1991, and 1994