Birth Indicators Introduction

Birth Indicators

Introduction

Birth plays a major role in the formulation, implementation, and dispersion of health care, as well as social and economic services. One of the major goals of health services is to promote a risk free and positive birth outcome, and to minimize the cost resulting from complications of pregnancy and birth. This report presents data on births and birth rates and selected maternal and infant health characteristics for Orange County, California. The findings are based on all registered vital records occurring in calendar year 2010, which were received and processed by the California Department Public of Health. Specific birth indicators presented in this report include birth rate, fertility rate, births to adolescent mothers, pre-term birth rates, low birth weight, prenatal care, deliveries by cesarean section, breastfeeding initiation and infant mortality. The goal of this report is to identify disparities and areas of need wherever they might exist in order to improve birth outcomes for all Orange County babies.

California and Orange County trend data for selected birth indicators from 2000 to 2010 were obtained using registered vital records from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Birth rate, fertility rate, and adolescent birth rate for 2000 through 2010 shown in this report have been revised using Department of Finance population estimates based on the 2000 and 2010 Census, to provide for more accurate rates for the period. National trend data for selected birth indicators from 2000 to 2010 were obtained using National Vital Stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC). Wherever possible, additional comparisons are made using statewide and national data and Healthy People 2010 and 2020 national objectives.

All birth indicators with city breakout tables, ZIP code maps and subgroup tables (maternal race/ethnicity and maternal age) were based on 2010 birth data. City and ZIP code data were based on mother’s residence at time of the birth of their baby. In some situations, the data in a geographic area or other breakout may have a very small sample size, which can make the data unstable and thus, should be interpreted with caution. When this was the case, or if data were missing for a geographic area, the impacted area was not included in the tables or noted on the maps. Typically, data were suppressed if there were less than 25 cases, or in the case of rate calculations, the denominator was less than 25 residents. Data for sites with zero cases were not suppressed provided the denominator was 25 or greater.

Mapping software, Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) from ESRI, was used with city and ZIP code boundaries for Orange County provided by NAVTEQ. NAVTEQ distinguishes ZIP

codes for unique organizations and post office boxes as points on the map without geographic boundaries. For example, the University of California, Irvine (ZIP code 92697) is designated as a unique organization by NAVTEQ. Thus, birth data for this ZIP code and other unique organizations and P.O. Boxes classified by NAVTEQ as points do not appear in the maps in this report.