MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of Doula Care Associated with Reductions in Preterm Birth and Cesarean Delivery

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2016

ISSN: 07307659

DOI: 10.1111/birt.12218

PMID: 26762249

Abstract: BACKGROUND One in nine US infants is born before 37 weeks' gestation, incurring medical costs 10 times higher than full-term infants. One in three infants is born by cesarean; cesarean births cost twice as much as vaginal births. We compared rates of preterm and cesarean birth among Medicaid recipients with prenatal access to doula care (nonmedical maternal support) with similar women regionally. We used data on this association to mathematically model the potential cost-effectiveness of Medicaid coverage of doula services. METHODS Data came from two sources: all Medicaid-funded, singleton births at hospitals in the West North Central and East North Central US (n = 65,147) in the 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, and all Medicaid-funded singleton births (n = 1,935) supported by a community-based doula organization in the Upper Midwest from 2010 to 2014. We analyzed routinely collected, de-identified administrative data. Multivariable regression analysis was used to estimate associations between doula care and outcomes. A probabilistic decision-analytic model was used for cost-effectiveness estimates. RESULTS Women who received doula support had lower preterm and cesarean birth rates than Medicaid beneficiaries regionally (4.7 vs 6.3%, and 20.4 vs 34.2%). After adjustment for covariates, women with doula care had 22 percent lower odds of preterm birth (AOR 0.77 [95% CI 0.61-0.96]). Cost-effectiveness analyses indicate potential savings associated with doula support reimbursed at an average of $986 (ranging from $929 to $1,047 across states). CONCLUSIONS Based on associations between doula care and preterm and cesarean birth, coverage reimbursement for doula services would likely be cost saving or cost-effective for state Medicaid programs.

Url: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26762249

Url: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=PMC5544530

Url: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/birt.12218

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Kozhimannil, Katy B.; Hardeman, Rachel; Alarid-Escudero, Fernando; Vogelsang, Carrie A.; Blauer-Peterson, Cori; Howell, Elizabeth A.

Periodical (Full): Birth

Issue: 1

Volume: 43

Pages: 20-27

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop