Study links adverse birth outcomes in non-white groups to the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, revealing lasting health impact.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley found that there was a significant increase in underweight and premature births among non-white women in the U.S. in the two years following Trump’s election in 2016.
Black mothers experienced the largest increase in children born underweight, indicating a potential negative impact on infant health outcomes.
Elections, especially when characterized by racism and xenophobia, can have lasting effects on the health of marginalized groups, as seen in this study.
The study suggests that approximately 3,783 fewer infants may have been born underweight if Trump had not been elected.
The long-term health consequences of such societal events can be severe, especially for infants born during these periods.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, has discovered a concerning link between the 2016 Presidential election and adverse birth outcomes among women of color in the United States. The study revealed a significant increase in premature and underweight births among non-white women, particularly Black mothers, in the two years following Donald Trump’s election. This spike in adverse birth outcomes is believed to be a result of the stress and policy impacts experienced by these marginalized groups during that period.
Researchers analyzed over 15 million births between 2012 and 2018 and found that rates of low birth weight and preterm births increased notably for Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Islander mothers after the 2016 election. The study emphasizes that major political events like elections can have lasting effects on the health of disadvantaged populations, highlighting the importance of further research to understand the causes and consequences of such societal disruptions. The significant health impacts observed in infants born during the two years following the election underscore the potentially long-lasting consequences of exposure to racism and xenophobia on maternal and infant health.
