Severe sociopolitical stressors and preterm births in New York City: 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2017

Background Severe stressors can induce preterm birth (PTB; gestation Methods Trend analysis of all singleton births in New York City from 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2017 (n=230 105). Results Comparing the period before the US presidential nomination (1 September 2015 to 31 July 2016) to the post-inauguration period (1 January 2017 to 31 August 2017), the overall PTB rate increased from 7.0% to 7.3% (relative risk (RR): 1.04; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07). Among Hispanic women, the highest post-inauguration versus pre-inauguration increase occurred among foreign-born Hispanic women with Mexican or Central American ancestry (RR: 1.15; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.31). The post-inauguration versus pre-inauguration PTB rate also was higher for women from the Middle East/North Africa and from the travel ban countries, although non-significant due to the small number of events. Conclusion Severe sociopolitical stressors may contribute to increases in the risk of PTB among targeted populations.