The Latina paradox: An opportunity for restructuring prenatal care delivery

M.S. McGlade, S. Saha and M.E. Dahlstrom

American Journal of Public Health, 2004, vol. 94, issue 12, 2062-2065

Abstract: Latina mothers in the United States enjoy surprisingly favorable birth outcomes despite their social disadvantages. This "Latina paradox" is particularly evident among Mexican-born women. The social and cultural factors that contribute to this paradox are maintained by community networks - informal systems of prenatal care that are composed of family, friends, community members, and lay health workers. This informal system confers protective factors that provide a behavioral context for healthy births. US-born Latinas are losing this protection, although it could be maintained with the support of community-based informal care systems. We recommend steps to harness the benefits of informal systems of prenatal care in Latino communities to meet the increasing needs of pregnant Latina women.

Date: 2004
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2004:94:12:2062-2065_4

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