Newborn Outcomes Among Veterans Utilizing VHA Maternity Benefits, 2016-2020.
Mil Med
; 188(5-6): e1252-e1259, 2023 05 16.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34718702
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Public Law 111-163 Section 206 of the Caregivers and Veteran Omnibus Health Services Act amended the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) medical benefits package to include 7 days of medical care for newborns delivered by Veterans. We examined the newborn outcomes among a cohort of women Veterans receiving VHA maternity benefits and care coordination. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
We conducted a secondary analysis of phone interview data from Veterans enrolled in the COMFORT (Center for Maternal and Infant Outcomes Research in Translation) study 2016-2020. Multivariable regression estimated associations with newborn outcomes (preterm birth; low birthweight).RESULTS:
During the study period, 829 infants were born to 811 Veterans. Mothers reported "excellent health" for 94% of infants. The prevalence of preterm birth was slightly higher in our cohort (11% vs. 10%), as were low birthweight (9%) deliveries, compared to the general population (8.28%). Additionally, 42% of infants in our cohort required follow-up care for non-routine health conditions; 11% were uninsured at 2 months of age. Adverse newborn outcomes were more common for mothers who were older in age, self-identified as non-white in race and/or of Hispanic ethnicity, had a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, or had gestational comorbidities.CONCLUSIONS:
The current VHA maternity coverage appears to be an effective policy for ensuring the well-being and health care coverage for the majority of Veterans and their newborns in the first days of life, thereby reducing the risk of inadequate prenatal and neonatal care. Future research should examine costs associated with extending coverage to 14 days or longer, comparing those to the projected excess costs of neonatal health problems. VHA policy should continue to support expanding care and resources through the Maternity Care Coordinator model.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
5_ODS3_mortalidade_materna
Problema de salud:
5_maternal_care
Asunto principal:
Veteranos
/
Nacimiento Prematuro
/
Servicios de Salud Materna
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mil Med
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos