The impact of county-level fees & fines as exploitative revenue generation on US birth outcomes

In this study, researchers hypothesize that structural racism in the reliance on fines and fees becomes embodied, increasing the risk of preterm birth and low birthweight. Using 2012 Census of Governments, and 2011–2015 vital statistics from the National Center of Health Statistics, the authors examine the relationship between average fines and fees as a percent of total revenue and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight across the United States. Findings indicate that mothers residing in counties with the greatest reliance on fees and fines had 1.08 times the odds of preterm birth and 1.07 times the odds of low birth weight than mothers residing in counties with the least reliance on fees and fines.

Read the full study here.