Comparison of Prematurity and Perinatal Mortality in a General Population and in the Population of a Prepaid Group Practice, Medical Care Plan

Abstract

Pregnancy experience of enrolleees in the Health Insurance Plan (H.I.P.) of Greater New York, a prepaid, comprehensive, medical care plan is compared with that of the general population of New York City. A higher proportion of H.I.P. women who had a baby in 1955 began prenatal care in the first trimester than did women in the general population. The difference between H.LP. and New York City women becomes negligible when comparison is based on patients of private doctors. Prematurity rates in H.LP. during 1955 were appreciably lower than in the City generally, and slightly lower than for patients of private doctors not in H.I.P. Perinatal mortality rates were considerably lower in H.LP. than in both the general population and in the New York City group under private doctor care. Indications are that the lower perinantal mortality rates in H.LP. are not explained by socio-economic differentials alone.