Disaggregating Gestational Diabetes and Hypertension Among Hispanic Mothers in Florida by Nativity and Country of Birth: 2004-2022.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To examine differences in the prevalence of gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension by maternal nativity and country of birth among Hispanic mothers in Florida. <b>Methods.</b> We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1 130 250 births from Florida birth certificate data between 2004 and 2022. We compared Hispanic maternal health outcomes by nativity (US-born vs foreign-born) and country of birth using descriptive statistics and nested log-binomial regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. <b>Results.</b> Foreign-born Hispanic mothers had a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes (5.3%) but lower rates of gestational hypertension (4.3%) than did US-born mothers (4.7% and 5.3%, respectively). Foreign-born mothers from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua had significantly lower adjusted risks for gestational diabetes. Gestational hypertension risk was also lower for most foreign-born groups. However, foreign-born Puerto Rican and Cuban mothers had elevated risks for gestational diabetes compared with their US-born counterparts. <b>Conclusions.</b> Maternal health risks vary substantially in the Hispanic population by nativity and heritage, underscoring the need to disaggregate data to identify disparities. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Policies and interventions should account for subgroup-specific risks to effectively address maternal health inequities in Hispanic communities. (<i>Am J Public Health.</i> 2026;116(4):512-521. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308359).