343— Analysis of the impact of environmental factors on maternal mortality and stillbirth rates in 19th century Rochester

As is common today, socioeconomic status and environmental conditions played a key role in health and medicine in the 19th century. This study is an analysis of cemetery records from Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY, to determine if there is a link between maternal mortality, stillbirth rates, socioeconomic status and environmental conditions, such as air pollution. While this study will not uncover all of the causes of maternal mortality and stillbirths, it will, however, help to determine whether individuals from certain areas of Rochester faced increased rates of these causes of death. In addition to cemetery records, historical resources as well as current research will also be utilized. Together these sources will demonstrate whether areas in Rochester with negative environmental conditions and/or low socioeconomic status were linked to higher maternal mortality and stillbirth rates.