The proportion of births in which mothers began receiving prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy (before 13 weeks gestation), broken down by mother's race or ethnicity.
Early, high-quality prenatal care is critical to reducing risks for complications of pregnancy or birth and improving birth outcomes.
Early prenatal care tended to be somewhat lower among African American and Hispanic mothers than among White mothers throughout the counties in the region. In 2021, the share of White mothers receiving prenatal care ranged from 60% in Sullivan to 91% in Putnam. African American mothers had somewhat lower rates: from 17% in Greene to 86% in Putnam. Rates for Hispanic mothers ranged from 57% in Sullivan to 76% in Dutchess. Dutchess and Putnam surpassed statewide (excluding NYC) rates for all racial and ethnic categories, while all other counties were generally lower than the state.
Researchers have uncovered a number of factors contributing to generally lower rates of early prenatal care among mothers of color. These include: socioeconomic characteristics like education and family income; maternal health and characteristics of pregnancies (such as maternal age and number of previous pregnancies); types of insurance coverage - whether women are covered by Medicaid, private insurance, or have no coverage; and the location of prenatal care facilities - in physicians' offices and public health clinics. One study found socioeconomic differences was responsible for roughly half the gap -- pregnant women with lower incomes and lower levels of formal education often do not have the resources necessary to obtain care early and often - but that public programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children increased access to care.
Rates for the seven-county region could not be derived. Rates exclude the number of live births for which the date of entry into prenatal care is unknown. In addition to when prenatal care began, it is also important to consider the quality and continuity of care received throughout the pregnancy.
| Black or African American | Hispanic or Latino | Other | White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 78% | 65% | 82% | 74% |
| Dutchess | 76% | 76% | 77% | 85% |
| Greene | 17% | 63% | 47% | 75% |
| Orange | 61% | 61% | 62% | 73% |
| Putnam | 86% | 75% | 90% | 91% |
| Sullivan | 57% | 57% | 72% | 60% |
| Ulster | 63% | 63% | 71% | 73% |
| NYS (excluding NYC) | 71% | 72% | 76% | 82% |
| Black or African American | Hispanic or Latino | Other | White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 63% | 55% | 63% | 80% |
| Dutchess | 74% | 80% | 80% | 86% |
| Greene | 40% | 52% | 35% | 84% |
| Orange | 66% | 64% | 61% | 71% |
| Putnam | 87% | 73% | 75% | 86% |
| Sullivan | 58% | 56% | 53% | 62% |
| Ulster | 59% | 67% | 72% | 80% |
| NYS (excluding NYC) | 62% | 61% | 67% | 79% |
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