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What does skin color have to do with infant health? An analysis of low birth weight among mainland and island Puerto Ricans

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  • Landale, Nancy S.
  • Oropesa, R.S.

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between maternal skin tone and low birth weight among Puerto Ricans, a group with a complex ancestry and skin tones that range from very light to very dark. Using data from a representative sample of Puerto Rican mothers, we assess whether skin tone has different implications for low birth weight in three geographic areas (Puerto Rico; New York City; other eastern states). The analysis shows that skin tone is unrelated to low birth weight in Puerto Rico and New York City. However, in the other eastern states in our sample, mothers with dark skin have a high risk of bearing a low birth-weight infant, relative to mothers with light skin. We interpret our findings in light of differences in the social meaning of phenotypic differences across locales.

Suggested Citation

  • Landale, Nancy S. & Oropesa, R.S., 2005. "What does skin color have to do with infant health? An analysis of low birth weight among mainland and island Puerto Ricans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 379-391, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:61:y:2005:i:2:p:379-391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Krieger, N. & Sidney, S. & Coakley, E., 1998. "Racial discrimination and skin color in the CARDIA study: Implications for public health research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(9), pages 1308-1313.
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    Cited by:

    1. Perreira, Krista M. & Telles, Edward E., 2014. "The color of health: Skin color, ethnoracial classification, and discrimination in the health of Latin Americans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 241-250.
    2. Tod G. Hamilton, 2014. "Do Country-of-Origin Characteristics Help Explain Variation in Health Among Black Immigrants in the United States?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(3), pages 817-834, September.

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