Resource-Scarce Neighborhoods and Increased Risk of Gestational Diabetes

New research from the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health indicates that living in resource-poor neighborhoods can elevate the likelihood of women developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy. This condition not only affects maternal health but can also have long-term consequences for the child's wellbeing.

The study analyzed data from over 480,000 births across 15 Arizona counties between 2014 and 2020. Researchers found that women residing in neighborhoods characterized by higher levels of deprivation—measured through the Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI), which accounts for factors like housing quality, violence, education, access to healthy food, and poverty—were 20% more likely to develop GDM compared to those in more resource-rich areas.

Notably, the incidence of GDM was as high as 12% in communities with significant Native American populations, reaching almost double the typical incidence rate. Women in deprived neighborhoods also tended to be younger, less educated, overweight, and more likely to have public insurance. The study highlighted disparities among Native American women, with nearly 18% experiencing GDM.

The findings emphasize the role of social determinants of health, particularly neighborhood conditions, in influencing maternal diabetes risk. The research suggests that addressing socioeconomic factors like food deserts, housing quality, and access to prenatal care could mitigate some of these risks. These results contribute to a broader understanding that environmental and social factors significantly impact pregnancy outcomes and highlight the importance of targeted community interventions.

Further research is necessary to unravel the complexities of how neighborhood environments influence maternal health and to develop effective policies to reduce health disparities, especially among Native American populations.

This study is published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology and was conducted by a team including Kimberly Parra, Ph.D., and led by Melissa Furlong, Ph.D. For more details, see source.