Living in a resource-poor neighborhood may significantly increase a woman’s risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), according to new research from the University of Arizona. The study examined over 480,000 births across 15 counties and found that women in deprived areas were 20% more likely to develop GDM—a condition with long-term health consequences for both mother and child.
Researchers used the Neighborhood Deprivation Index, which factors in housing quality, violence, education, access to healthy food, and poverty. “Where you live can influence your health,” said Melissa Furlong, Ph.D., senior author of the study. “It can impact stress, access to quality food, the ability to interact with the outdoors and exercise—all factors that can affect health.”
The findings were especially concerning for Native American communities, where GDM incidence reached nearly 18%, more than double the general population rate. Women in poorer neighborhoods were also more likely to be younger, less educated, overweight, and reliant on public insurance.
Furlong emphasized the need for policy changes, including eliminating food deserts and expanding access to quality housing and prenatal care. “We know there are racial disparities in GDM,” she said, “and we wanted to go beyond that and more fully gauge the importance of social determinants of health at a neighborhood level.”
See: “Resource-poor neighborhood conditions may increase gestational diabetes risk” (August 5, 2025)
