RURAL LOCALE PROTECTIVE FOR ETHNICALLY AND RACIALLY DIVERSE WOMEN AT RISK FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Abstract

Pregnancy-related complications like gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) lead to adverse outcomes and increased chronic disease risk for both mother and fetus. Women living in rural and medically underserved communities are at especially high risk due to the inverse association of health outcomes with the social determinants of health and high rates of obesity. Prevalence of GDM in rural and non-rural areas has not been not been previously evaluated, and with co-morbidities leading to lifelong health implications, it is imperative to identify disparities to mitigate them.