Posted: January 11th, 2023

Prenatal Health Disparities Between American and African Mothers

Prenatal Health Disparities Between American and African Mothers

Prenatal health is a crucial factor that affects the well-being of both mothers and infants. However, there are significant disparities in prenatal health outcomes between American and African mothers, especially for Black women. This blog post will identify and discuss some of the main causes and consequences of these disparities, as well as some of the possible solutions to address them.

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Causes of Prenatal Health Disparities

One of the major causes of prenatal health disparities is the lack of access to quality health care for African mothers, especially those living in low-resource settings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Many African mothers face barriers to accessing antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal care, which increase their risk of complications and mortality.

Another cause of prenatal health disparities is the social and economic inequities that affect both American and African mothers, but disproportionately impact Black women. These inequities include poverty, low education, food insecurity, environmental pollution, violence, and discrimination. These factors can contribute to poor maternal health by increasing stress, limiting access to resources, and exposing women to harmful substances or infections. For example, Black women in the U.S. are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality, which can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birthweight.

A third cause of prenatal health disparities is the structural and systemic racism that pervades the health care system and society at large. Racism can affect maternal health by influencing the quality of care that women receive, the attitudes and behaviors of health care providers, and the policies and practices that shape health care delivery. For instance, studies have shown that Black women in the U.S. are less likely to receive adequate pain management, screening tests, or referrals during pregnancy than White women. Moreover, racism can create a culture of distrust and fear among Black women, which can deter them from seeking or accepting health care services.

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Consequences of Prenatal Health Disparities

The consequences of prenatal health disparities are devastating for both mothers and infants. Maternal mortality is one of the most tragic outcomes of these disparities. According to the CDC, Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Similarly, in sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality ratios are 50 times higher than in high-income countries. Most of these deaths are preventable with timely and appropriate interventions.

Another consequence of prenatal health disparities is infant mortality. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday. The CDC reports that infants born to Black women in the U.S. have markedly higher mortality rates than those born to White women. Likewise, in Africa, infant mortality rates are six times higher than in Europe. Some of the leading causes of infant mortality include preterm birth, low birthweight, congenital anomalies, infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

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A third consequence of prenatal health disparities is long-term morbidity for both mothers and infants. Morbidity refers to the presence of disease or disability that affects one's quality of life. Prenatal health disparities can result in chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, or infertility for mothers. For infants, prenatal health disparities can lead to developmental delays, cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, or chronic diseases later in life.

Solutions to Prenatal Health Disparities

There is no single or simple solution to address prenatal health disparities. However, there are some promising strategies that can help improve maternal and infant health outcomes for American and African mothers. These include:

- Expanding access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage and care for all women of reproductive age
- Increasing access to a broader array of services and providers that support prenatal health, such as family planning, nutrition counseling, mental health care, social support, home visiting programs
- Diversifying the health care workforce and providing cultural competency training for health care providers
- Enhancing data collection and reporting on maternal and infant health indicators by race/ethnicity
- Implementing evidence-based interventions that address the social determinants of health
- Engaging community-based organizations that advocate for better care and resources for Black mothers
- Empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and rights

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Conclusion

Prenatal health disparities between American and African mothers are a serious public health issue that requires urgent attention and action. These disparities reflect the underlying social and economic inequities and structural racism that affect women's health and well-being. By addressing these root causes and implementing effective solutions, we can reduce the gap in maternal and infant health outcomes and ensure that every mother and child has a fair chance to thrive.

References

: WHO. (2020). Maternal mortality. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality

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: Mendola, P., Wallace, M., Hwang, B. S., Liu, D., Robledo, C., Männistö, T., & Grantz, K. L. (2018). Preterm birth and air pollution: Critical windows of exposure for women with asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 142(3), 749-758.

: Howell, E. A., Brown, H., Brumley, J., Bryant, A. S., Caughey, A. B., Cornell, A. M., ... & Grobman, W. A. (2018). Reduction of peripartum racial and ethnic disparities: a conceptual framework and maternal safety consensus bundle. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 131(5), 770-782.

: CDC. (2023). Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

: OMH. (2020). Infant Mortality and African Americans. Retrieved from https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/infant-mortality-and-african-americans

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