Abstract

Targeted Care Management of Poor Birth Outcomes in Louisiana
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Ryan Bilbo

Between 2006 and 2010, Louisiana averaged 65,261 live births and 7,265 (11.1%) low birth weight babies (LBW, <2,500g) annually. These annual observations are stable as indicated by their annual standard deviation, 2.5 and 4.3% of the average, respectively. Risk factors are significant, well known, spatially and temporally persistent. Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals would like to identify best practices in cluster analysis. Using spatial statistics tools we can determine existence of clusters, define cluster criteria, and visualize their patterns. Specifically, this effort focused on LBW mothers' residences in New Orleans, LA. The results indicate opportunities for targeted care management. They include efficient intervention at local nodes of healthcare provision and community assistance selectively chosen by proximity to a cluster. Spatial awareness is one way to "target targeted care management leading to significant lifelong health improvement and cost savings for the services associated with poor birth outcomes.