Interest groups are an important influence in the subnational policymaking process. Previously, environmental policy scholars measured the strength of environmental groups in the American policymaking subnational process by using proxies like state-level group membership in major nationwide environmental organizations (e.g., Sierra Club). Although these prior measures of group strength have face validity, recent scholarship suggests that the utilization of group financial resources is a better measure of the influence of interest groups in state-level models. We take this approach and provide a new way to measure state-level environmental interests by using aggregated financial information (income and assets) from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data obtained via the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS). This measure provides several advantages over previous approaches because it varies over time, is derived from easily accessible public data, includes a greater diversity of environmental organizations, and it is considered reliable by prior scholars. We demonstrate its empirical value by deploying our measure in a model of state policy adoption. We encourage researchers to further utilize this new measure in their analysis of environmental advocacy at the subnational level.

Background: Compared to other high-income countries, US women face higher maternal and infant mortality rates. Methods: This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine cross-sectional, county-level associations between structural and intermediary social determinants of health (SDOHs) and maternal and infant mortalities, based on the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Determinants of Health framework. Results: Our findings suggest maternal mortality may be linked to increased food insecurity, food assistance, distance to obstetric care, and decreased walkability and marriage rates. Our modeling also points toward a connection between infant mortality and increased food insecurity, food assistance, Black race, mental distress, and decreased walkability, education, and income. SEM revealed significant direct and indirect effects of these SDOHs. Notably, food insecurity and walkability had direct associations with both maternal and infant mortality in both SEM models. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for policy, practice, and research efforts to address key SDOHs and reduce mortality disparities in the US.