Table 3 Variables included in the regression models
Variables | Notes |
|---|---|
External factors LHDs cannot control (Context) | |
Total LHD expenditure | Raw number or per capita |
Population | Total population of the county/area the LHD serves (number) |
Number of Medicaid births in the county | Controls for need of services |
Core Based Statistical Area (CSBA) [28] | 3 levels: metropolitan, micropolitan, rural |
% of children under 18 living in poverty | |
Social Disadvantage Index [29] | Index of median HH income; % of households receiving public assistance; % unemployed |
% of persons 25+ with HS or more education in county | |
% of county population that is African American | |
% of county population that is Hispanic | |
Per Capita number of nurses | |
Per Capita number of midwives | |
Per Capita number of doctors | |
Inputs (LHD can control) | |
Alternative Provider | Categorical variables for each MCH service area (linked to expenditure included); captures whether other entity is providing the service in the county area |
Executive Clinician | 0-1; captures whether the executive at the LHD has a clinical degree or not |
LHD Service Approach Classification | Categorical variable (4 levels) obtained through latent class analysis of self-reported LHD service provisions to the NACCHO profile survey [34] |
MCH Outcomes | |
Teen pregnancy rate | Number of births to girls age 15–19 over total number of girls age 15–19 (× 1000), smoothed (3 year average) |
Infant Mortality rate | Number of infant deaths over total number of births, smoothed (3 year average) |
Late or no prenatal care rate | Number of infants born that received no or late prenatal care over total births, smoothed (3 year average) |
Low birth weight rate | Number of infants born at low birth weight over total births, smoothed (3 year average) |