Instructions
The United States has ranked below other developed countries in maternal morbidity and mortality for several years and has not met the associated Healthy People 2030 goal. Maternal health is a critical factor for the live birth of a healthy infant. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are factors that influence maternal morbidity and mortality.
Choose two SDOH that have influenced maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States and answer the following:
- What are some best practices in health promotion that could improve maternal health outcomes?
- Provide a community resource or program in your area that is focused on improving maternal and infant health.
- Describe the services of your chosen resource or program and provide a link or contact information for it.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and cite at least two references.
Answer
There are two major SDOH that drive high maternal morbidity and mortality in the US, including structural racism and socioeconomic inequality. In terms of structural racism, Black women in the US die at higher rates than white women (Hill et al., 2024). For instance, in 2022, the maternal rate of Black women was 49.5 per 100,000 live births, much higher than that of white women (Hoyert, 2025). Besides, racism also influences access to quality care, implicit bias from providers, and chronic stress. On the other hand, socioeconomic inequality, such as lower income, limited transportation, housing instability, and food insecurity, makes it hard for pregnant women to get early and regular … To access full answer, use the purchase button below.