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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) |
