__________________________________________________________________ Maternal Health Disparities
CONCLUSION There is no question that maternal health disparities are a significant problem in the United States. Inequalities have been associated with many factors, including education level, literacy, age, and socioeconomic status. However, the greatest disparities have been noted among racial/ethnic minority women and have been linked to explicit and implicit biases in healthcare providers and systems. It is of the utmost impor- tance that those caring for patients in the peripartum and postpartum period are committed to lowering the morbidity and mortality rates of all mothers of color. Promoting equity and cultural competence, effectively addressing modifiable risk factors, improving communication and monitoring, and engaging in regular training are needed to improve the health and outcomes of this population.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/MentalHealthDisparities
Implicit Bias in Health Care The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern, as there is some evidence that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, profes- sionals’ attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. This may produce differences in help-seeking, diagnoses, and ultimately treatments and interventions. Implicit biases may also unwittingly produce professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that reduce patients’ trust and comfort with their provider, leading to earlier termina- tion of visits and/or reduced adherence and follow-up. Disadvantaged groups are marginalized in the healthcare system and vulnerable on multiple levels; health profes- sionals’ implicit biases can further exacerbate these existing disadvantages. Interventions or strategies designed to reduce implicit bias may be categorized as change-based or control- based. Change-based interventions focus on reducing or changing cognitive associations underlying implicit biases. These interventions might include challenging stereotypes. Conversely, control-based interventions involve reducing the effects of the implicit bias on the individual’s behaviors. These strategies include increas- ing awareness of biased thoughts and responses. The two types of interventions are not mutually exclusive and may be used synergistically.
GLOSSARY
Pregnancy-associated death : A death during or within one year of pregnancy, regardless of the cause [88]. Pregnancy-related death : A death during or within one year of pregnancy, from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy [88]. Preventability : A death is considered preventable if there was at least some chance of the death being prevented by one or more reasonable changes to patient, family, provider, facility, system, and/or community factors. This definition is used by maternal mortality review committees to determine if a death they review is preventable [88]. Maternal death : The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, regardless of the duration and the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental causes. This definition is used by the National Center for Health Statistics and the World Health Organization [88]. Maternal mortality ratio : The number of maternal deaths (as defined) per 100,000 live births. Also referred to as the maternal mortality rate [88]. Maternal mortality : Number of deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period up to 365 days from the end of pregnancy [88].
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MDNJ1525
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