Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Birth Outcomes and Labor and Delivery Charges among Massachusetts Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Understanding the pregnancy experiences of racial and ethnic minority women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is critical to ensuring that policies can effectively support these women. This research analyzed data from the 1998-2013 Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal (PELL) data system to examine the racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and labor and delivery charges of U.S. women with IDD. There was significant preterm birth disparity among non-Hispanic Black women with IDD compared to their non-Hispanic White peers. There were also significant racial and ethnic differences in associated labor and delivery-related charges. Further research, examining potential mechanisms behind the observed racial and ethnic differences in labor and delivery-related charges in Massachusetts' women with IDD is needed.