Track: Health Care
Mapping Low-Weight Births in Colorado
Mark D. EgbertChun-Lo K. Meng , Dr. James A. McGregor, Carol J. Garrett Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Leanne M. Cull University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Babies born with low birth weight can have serious and lasting health problems. Colorado's percentage of low-weight births has been higher than the national average for each year since 1950. Colorado is also ranked first in the nation for the highest percentage of low-weight births among white mothers. A logistic regression model was developed to identify the significance of various independent variables associated with low birth weight. Variables that were examined include mother's age, race, education, marital status, maternal smoking status, the elevation of the mother's residence, and selected medical risk factors. Residence of low-weight births was mapped and compared with these independent variables. GIS and statistical methods were used to identify spatial trends and to assist public health programs by locating those communities where risk factors for low-weight births were highest.
Mark D. Egbert
CO Dept of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr S
Denver, CO 80222
USA
Telephone: 303.692.2246
Fax: 303.782.4969
E-mail: mdegbert@csn.net