Keywords

health literacy, maternal health, mortality, pregnancy, postpartum, prenatal

Abstract

In comparison to other high-income nations, the U.S. maintains the highest maternal mortality rate, especially among Black women. Factors like the growing maternal age and restricted family planning clinics have been noted to contribute to this phenomenon. However, the impact of health literacy on maternal has yet to be reviewed. Health literacy in the U.S. has long been determined to be a social determinant of health more broadly, and it may likely play a role in maternal health as well. Consequently, a systematic review of health literacy and its association with maternal health outcomes is warranted. The goal of this study is to examine research that has been conducted over the past ten years to determine the state of evidence on the association of health literacy and maternal health outcomes. I will utilize the research databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO alongside a carefully curated search hedge to find articles that best align with pre-determined inclusion criteria. After articles have been screened at title/abstract and full-text levels, all remaining articles will be appraised for quality. Articles strictly pertaining to health literacy and its relationship to maternal health outcomes will be evaluated. I expect this systematic review to shed light on the role of health literacy as a potential strategy to improve maternal health outcomes.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Miller, Ann

College

College of Sciences

Department

Nicholson School of Communication

Thesis Discipline

Communication

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

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Rights Statement

In Copyright