Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health
2021
This article from the Journal of Women's Health provides an expansion of the literature review on the social determinants of maternal health to include the "structural determinants of health" and "root causes of inequalities," with the ultimate goal of exploring racism as a cause of inequities in maternal health outcomes. The authors underscore the importance of the World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, as it was critical to identifying and addressing the conditions in which people live, grow, work, and age. However, the term "social determinants of health" has lost its meaning within broader systems of care due to misuse, lack of context, and large social gradients in outcomes. By expanding the reviewed literature, Crear-Perry et al. examined the impacts of racism and its permeation through American societal structures, the effect of the structural and root causes of inequalities on maternal health outcomes, and provided several policy and practice solutions to advance health equity. These recommendations surround topics like paid family leave, health insurance coverage, culturally appropriate care, and more.
Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health
Source:
Crear-Perry J et al. Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health. Journal of Women’s Health 2021; 30(2): 230-235.