Abstract
Latinos are often treated as a homogeneous group in health research, overlooking the diverse racial identities within this population. Afro-Latinas and their infants face heightened risk for adverse outcomes due to intersecting marginalized identities. Guided by Intersectionality Theory, this dissertation examines maternal morbidities (gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy) and adverse infant outcomes (preterm birth, small- and large-for-gestational-age) among Afro-Latina mothers and their infants in Florida. It also assesses the impact of social determinants of health (SDoH), particularly neighborhood deprivation and prenatal care adequacy.
Presented in a three-manuscript format, the dissertation includes: (1) a systematic review on Afro-Latina maternal and infant outcomes, (2) a population-based analysis of Florida Vital Statistics data from 2004–2022 across racial/ethnic groups (N=4,009,855), and (3) a focused analysis of Hispanic mother-infant dyads in 2022 (N=25,899). Logistic regression models estimated associations between racial/ethnic identity, health outcomes, and SDoH indicators (Area Deprivation Index, Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization).
Findings revealed Afro-Latina mothers had unique risk profiles, more aligned with Black non-Hispanic than White Hispanic mothers. Hypertensive disorders were a consistent disparity, persisting after adjustment for SDoH. Iinfants of Afro-Latinas had lower odds of preterm birth and SGA than those of White non-Hispanic mothers. These results highlight how race, ethnicity, and structural inequities interact to influence outcomes.
This work underscores the need for disaggregated data, inclusive methods, and intersectional public health approaches to improve maternal-child health equity among Afro-Latinas.