Fetal Origins of Health Disparities: Transgenerational Consequences of Racism

Dev Neurosci. 2024;46(2):112-118. doi: 10.1159/000531462. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Abstract

Despite advances in perinatal medicine, racial disparity in birth outcomes remains a public health problem in the USA. The underlying mechanisms for this long-standing racial disparity are incompletely understood. This review presents transgenerational risk factors for racial disparities in preterm birth, exploring the impact of interpersonal and structural racism, theoretical models of stress, and biological markers of racial disparities.

Keywords: Preterm birth; Racial disparity; Racism.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Female
  • Health Inequities*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Racism*