Social Determinants of Contaminant Exposure and Pregnancy in the Northern Karst of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Socioeconomic inequalities of disease and health are a major issue in the development of public policy, specifically health policies. The study uses secondary data obtained from a subset of participants of the Puerto Rico Testsite for Examining Contamination Threats (PROTECT) Project that follows a cohort of pregnant women and their exposure to contaminant agents. This study includes a profile of PROTECT participants by geographical region, study site, and other socioeconomic characteristics related to an increased risk of differential exposure to contaminants by means of use of personal care products. The analysis includes the study of socioeconomic and demographic variables, and the use of personal care products. Analysis of data collected reveals reports of use of products with higher concentrations of chemicals that have been associated with hormone disruption, and premature births are not evenly distributed among the population participating in the study. Results provide important evidence in terms of the social determinants of health such as geographical location, neighborhood, age, education, gender, and economic resources, and how they impact exposure to chemicals present in personal care products. The implications of the results for further research, as well as for community engagement, and public policy will be discussed.