Language
English
Publication Date
11-4-2025
Journal
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
DOI
10.1017/dmp.2025.10234
PMID
41185572
PMCID
PMC12658976
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
5-4-2026
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Objective: Despite growing research on disaster-related health impacts, pregnant individuals remain understudied. This study explores the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 4,951 pregnant individuals (511 directly impacted) was conducted to identify predictors of disrupted healthcare, financial loss, and mental health outcomes.
Results: Social and structural vulnerabilities significantly influenced disaster impact. Pregnant individuals who were foreign-born racial/ethnic minorities (16.7% non-Latinx Black, 10.2% Latinx vs. 8.3% non-Latinx White), low-income (13.0% vs. 8.0%), less educated (12.5% vs. 7.6%), reliant on public healthcare (81% vs. 33.5%), or with limited maternity care access (11.4% vs. 54.8%) were disproportionately affected (all p < 0.001). Conversely, post-disaster anxiety was more common among U.S.-born (14.8% vs. 8.0%), college-educated (19.0% vs. 9.8%), and higher-income individuals (21.2% vs. 7.9%) (all p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Disadvantaged pregnant populations face greater disruption during disasters, while those with fewer vulnerabilities may experience more prolonged anxiety.
Keywords
Humans, Female, Pregnancy, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Pregnant People, Cyclonic Storms, Social Vulnerability, Demography, Natural Disasters, Adolescent, Vulnerable Populations
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Shope, Cynthia D; Lucas, Amy E; Cherry, Stephen M; et al., "Social Vulnerability and Perinatal Risk: Demographic Determinants of the Impact of a Natural Disaster on Pregnant Women" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 8260.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/8260